"We Acknowledge That They Are A Significant Improvement Over The Existing Rules..."

Tim Perry, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) Canada, issued a statement in advance of the implementation of new flight- and duty-time regulations for professional pilots in Canada.

“Canada’s flight- and duty-time regulations have been acknowledged by aviation industry experts as inadequate for ensuring that pilots are well-rested when they fly. The implementation of these long-overdue changes is a direct result of over a decade of work. For years, ALPA worked diligently to secure updated science-based flight- and duty-time regulations, which has been one of the most important aviation safety issues for flight crews in Canada.

“When the updated regulations were first announced in 2018, we were clear that they did not address all our concerns and recommendations, but we acknowledge that they are a significant improvement over the existing rules—and will improve aviation safety in the long run. More importantly, these regulations are an important step in the right direction toward aligning us with the rest of the world and, above all, improve safety for passengers and flight crews alike.

“Looking ahead, it is important to note that implementation in the early stages of the new regulations will be a complicated process—we are prepared to navigate through a litany of issues with the airlines and remain in regular contact with senior Transport Canada officials.”

FMI: www.alpa.org