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Flight attendants have called for stronger fatigue regulations as part of a new “Fatigue Doesn’t Fly” campaign for International Cabin Crew Day, 31 May.
The Flight Attendants’ Association of Australia (FAAA) has urged CASA to implement mandatory flight time and rest regulations for cabin crew to improve passenger safety and receive “equal treatment” with pilots, for whom regulations were introduced five years ago.
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“Fatigue is the asbestos of aviation; invisible but deadly. We must act now to protect our cabin crew and, by extension, our passengers. Indeed, the recent incidents of turbulence show how crucial a well-rested crew is,” said Teri O’Toole, federal secretary of the FAAA.
“We only want what cabin crew all over the world have, including our colleagues in Sierra Leone and Bangladesh, some of the recognised poorest countries in the world.
“Singapore, one of the few countries with flight lengths comparable to those of Australian crew, have had regulated flight time limitations (FTLs) for long-haul flying since 2017.”
According to O’Toole, aligning with international standards will enhance safety and ensure “fair and consistent working conditions across the industry”.
“Our aviation safety authority should have oversight and protections for all stakeholders in aviation, not just pilots. Relying on safe standards for fatigue risk should not be left to bargaining in Enterprise Bargaining Agreements,” she said.
“Health and safety should be mandatory and regulated, not something that relies on sitting down every four years to bargain for. We are calling for a much-needed permanent regulatory safety net.”
O’Toole said that, with airlines having free rein to make decisions on rest and duties limitations in the absence of binding regulation, the “kids are running the candy store” and “profits and commercial considerations will always come before the human cost”.
“Our cabin crew travel the same distances and spend the same time in the air as pilots but are suffering without the same safety net when it comes to rest and scheduling. Why do pilots have better rest facilities on board than cabin crew? Because it’s mandated by CASA,” she said.
“Both cabin crew and pilots are human and should have the same consideration for how they take their rest on board. CASA has one job, to have oversight over airlines and their employees, so why isn’t it doing that?”
Captain Tony Lucas, president of the Australian and International Pilots Association, agreed, saying flight attendants are “multi-skilled professionals” who play a vital role in passenger safety.
“Our cabin crew are first responders in the event of an onboard emergency or medical situation. Just as a minimum of two well trained and well rested pilots are required for every flight, having well trained and well rested cabin crew are a vital part of the safety management process dealing with emergencies.”
In a statement, a CASA spokesperson said safety is a priority for the agency.
“Airlines are already required to manage fatigue risks for all their staff. We will consider whether additional regulations beyond these existing mechanisms are needed as part of a post implementation review of the pilot fatigue risk management rules within the next 12 to 18 months.
“We acknowledge the important contribution of cabin crew to passenger safety and cabin crew fatigue will be part of this additional work.”
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