Peter Gray (Flight International, 20-26 January) writes that in connection with foreign-registered airlines operating into the UK, "only now is the UK CAA considering banning unsafe airlines".
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has no powers to ban foreign-registered airlines from the UK. Airlines from outside the European Union or European Economic Area wishing to operate into the UK require a permit from the secretary of state for transport. It is a condition of the permit that the airline should be operated in accordance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. If the UK government has evidence that international standards are not being met a permit may be refused or revoked.
The CAA does conduct safety checks on foreign-registered aircraft on behalf of the Department for Transport. The outcome of these checks is passed to the ministry for action which may result in a permit being revoked. The CAA is consistent in its pursuit of high standards but it cannot act outside its national statutory mandate.
Tom Hamilton UK Civil Aviation Authority, Gatwick, UK
Information about the operational practices of Flash Airlines appeared in the French current affairs magazine Marianne on 12 January.
On board the aircraft that crashed into the Red Sea were the crew who had just flown the previous leg from Venice to Sharm el Sheikh. After arriving in Paris, they were supposed to then fly the aircraft back to Egypt. So this airline requires its flightcrews to spend their off-duty rest periods as passengers.
How many rotations do its crews fly like this, alternately on duty as "flying crew" and then "off duty" in the back as "non-flying crew"? At least four, evidently.
The director of Angers airport, Gilles Darriau, is quoted as saying that he flew on Flash Airlines in July 2003 between Egypt and France. Sitting next to him was the captain for the return flight between Paris and Hurghada. He would be commanding the return flight, well rested after spending the night as a passenger with all the other passengers in economy class.
How many flights do Flash Airlines' crews make before they eventually get a decent night's sleep on terra firma? And how deeply fatigued will they be that time?
William Tahil Research director, Meridian International Research, Warwick, UK
The recent tragic air accident in the Red Sea has been followed, as always, by premature speculation by people and organisations who should know better. However, it is already evident that passengers are routinely in the habit of using mobile telephones despite the ban on their use in aircraft after the engines have been started. Whether or not this proves to be relevant in this particular accident, I hope the point will not be lost on the authorities.
Christopher Doyle Kintbury, Berkshire, UK
Source: Flight International
