Pilots At Risk Due To COVID Restrictions

Pilot leaders from the FedEx Express unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) recently passed a resolution calling on their company to suspend operations in Hong Kong due to unacceptable risks for pilots related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Capt. Dave Chase, FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council chairman, issued the following statement:

“Recently, three COVID-19 positive asymptomatic FedEx pilots have been forced into mandated hospital facilities for up to 10 days in Hong Kong. Additionally, several pilots who already tested negative for COVID-19, but who had been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person were put into government camps under extremely difficult conditions. Not only do these situations pose unacceptable risks to our pilots’ safety and wellbeing, but they also create added stress and distraction for flight operations. While the COVID-19 global pandemic rages on, FedEx pilots continue to provide essential services, operating in extremely challenging and ever-changing environments and constantly adapting to new government mandates and restrictions around the globe.

“In Hong Kong, recent government mandates regarding COVID-19 testing have created unacceptable conditions for pilots, including our Hong Kong-based pilots and their families. Pilots who test positive for COVID-19 face compulsory admission and treatment in government-selected public hospitals, with as many as five patients to a room with one shared bathroom. In addition, any pilot or family member in Hong Kong found to have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual is placed in a government quarantine facility for up to 14 days with very sparse provisions.

“We are in contact with FedEx management as we advocate to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of our crewmembers operating in Hong Kong. However, every day that passes with crews being exposed to these conditions is unacceptable.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents nearly 63,000 pilots at 35 U.S. and Canadian airlines, including more than 5,000 pilots at FedEx Express.

FMI: www.alpa.org