Feds introduce regulations around work hours, alcohol consumption for flight crews
Posted December 12, 2018 12:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CANADA (NEWS 1130) – New rules are being put in place to deal with the growing concerns about tired flight crews on commercial planes.
The new regulations introduced by the federal government are focused around work hours and alcohol consumption which transport Minister Marc Garneau says will improve air safety in Canada.
“I’m confident that the new regulations will reduce pilot fatigue and make air travel safer,” he says.
The new regulations will set lower limits on the number of hours a pilot can be in the air or on duty before taking a break, while also offering some flexibility for smaller or speciality airlines who may find it hard to comply.
When it comes to alcohol the feds are also banning flight crew from consuming any alcoholic drinks 12-hours before their shift, which is an increase from the current 8 hours.
“We relly on professional flight crews who have the training and experience to make sure that we travel safely, to do that they need to be well rested and fit for duty,” Garneau adds.
The new rules will not be in effect right away, smaller airlines will have four years to put them in place while larger airlines will only have two years.
