Airlines Around the World Reevaluate & Revise Cockpit Rules in Wake of Germanwings Crash
Joe Cortez March 27, 2015
In light of shocking revelations surrounding the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525, international aviation bodies are quick to mandate two-person cockpit rule.
As the world learns more details on what may have brought Germanwings Flight 9525 to an abrupt end, the aviation industry is working quickly to ensure similar tragedies never happens again. In the days following the crash, multiple airlines and national aviation authorities have mandated a two-person cockpit rule, which requires either both pilots, or one pilot and one senior cabin crew member, to be on the flight deck at all times.
The changes come as investigators continue piecing together the final moments of the Airbus A320-200 that crashed into the French Alps on March 24 with 150 onbaord. Citing French and German authorities, CNN reports that officials believe 4U 9525 co-pilot Andres Lubitz, 28, may have locked the pilot out of the cockpit, possibly using a manual door override. This would have allowed Lubitz the opportunity to set the aircraft on a downward trajectory to the aircraft’s final resting place.
Canada was one of the first nations to announce immediate rule changes in light of the discovery. The Canadian Press reported Thursday that under a directive by Transport Minister Lisa Raitt, all Canadian airlines carrying passengers on a commercial flight must have two people in the cockpit at all times. Two of Canada’s largest airlines — Air Canada and WestJet — announced their policies would immediately change to reflect the new rules.
On Friday, Lufthansa Group issued a statement announcing they would be changing cockpit policies as well, a decision which affects all aircraft operated by the central European airline conglomerate. A portion of the statement read:
Under the new procedure, two authorized persons must be present in the cockpit at all times during a flight. The passenger airlines of the Lufthansa Group will adopt the new procedure as soon as possible, in due consultation with their national aviation authority.
The Lufthansa Group announcement coincides with a report from Deutsche Welle that Germany’s federal aviation ministry would move forward with a similar rule, thereby affecting Air Berlin and other German carriers.
Numerous airlines around the world are echoing the idea they will immediately review cockpit procedures. New Zealand’s 3 News reports that Air New Zealand and Emirates both announced changes to their policies on Friday to incorporate a two-person cockpit rule, effective immediately on both airlines.
According to BBC News, U.K. airlines were ordered to review procedures following the crash of 4U 9525. Since then, a number of airlines, including Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook and Virgin, have all announced a shift to the two-person rule. The Guardian reports EasyJet and Norwegian Air Shuttle will make the rule change as well. At the time of reporting, U.K. flag carrier British Airways had yet to announce whether it would also change its policy.
The two-person cockpit rule is already in place across U.S. commercial airlines per FAA regulations. However, in the EU and many other parts of world, there were no such regulations in effect prior to the crash of 4U 9525 and the two-person rule was no more than an optional safety mandate. A handful of airlines outside the U.S., including Aer Lingus and Finnair, opted to adopt the rule on commercial flights prior to Tuesday’s crash.
While authorities are still putting together the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, a full report has yet to be formalized or released. The crash of flight 4U 9525 remains under investigation.
[Photo: iStock]
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Having an FA present is certainly better than European practice. But do FAs know where the access code override is located on each aircraft type, so they can try to prevent a Lubitz? Let's hope they're strong enough in a scuffle. That said, I believe this is the first time ever that a pilot has intentionally downed a European or Western Hemisphere commercial passenger flight. The other cases have involved African or Asian carriers.
A number of places already did things like this. It won't do anything. It's just for the sake of appearing to do something.
So somehow we are supposed to be safer because we are allowing a Flight Attendant that has far less screening than a pilot to be alone with a pilot behind a secured door. It's a reflexive reaction to this crash without thinking it through. We certainly won't be any safer
The usual from the aviation industry: completely reactive. Lives have to be lost before changes are made. The same will happen with the remaining security "loopholes".
Here is my idea: Depending on how much free space is open behind either of the pilots seats; add a C-130 style lavatory inside the cockpit with privacy drape, for a dedicated crew toilet. Add a large pump style hand sanitizer dispenser next unit for a complete crew waste depository. Utilizing my idea, the cockpit can retain two qualified pilots at all times during flight operations.