IFALPA Calls For Their Immediate Release

On August 9, two Turkish Airlines pilots were kidnapped while traveling on a bus going from Beirut airport to their crew hotel. They are now reportedly being held hostage by a terrorist group, who says they would release the pilots in exchange for nine Lebanese citizens held hostage in Syria.

The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) condemns this action and calls for the immediate release of the two pilots.

IFALPA said in a news release that any attack on civil aviation constitutes a willful hazard to the safety and security of passengers and crew. States and Operators should consider the prevention of such attacks as a high priority, and do everything in their power to ensure the security of air crews and their families, in particular during layovers.

IFALPA said in the release that it and all its Member Associations around the globe are constantly examining all flight crew transportation and accommodation issues that come to their attention, and will continue to work alongside Governments and Operators to protect air crews against security threats. IFALPA will also raise the matter with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure that international Standards and Recommended Practices provide the necessary basis for the highest security regulations worldwide, in the framework of Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

FMI: www.ifalpa.org