Brussels, 16/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission wants to simplify the daily lives of pilots and cabin crews. From 8 April new European rules have come into force, harmonising the various national rules for aircrews, pilot training organisations, aero-medical centres and national civil aviation authorities. The new rules complement existing Regulation 1178/2011, replacing national procedures on pilot licences and medical certificates and further extend EU harmonisation on qualification and certification of cabin crews involved in commercial operations. They also provide for mutual recognition of licences, attestations, medical certificates and assessments as well as training organisations and aero-medical centres. In the Commission's view, they make the legislative framework simpler, cost-effective and proportionate. In a press release, the Commission goes on to say that the new arrangements have the potential to boost growth, employment and competitiveness.
The Commission ha s allowed transition measures to allow national administrations and other stakeholders time to adapt to the new EU rules.
Elsewhere, the European Parliament has concerns over the coordination of social security systems for pilots and cabin crews. Grey areas in European legislation may allow low-cost airlines to look to apply the systems that are deemed to be less onerous, no matter the home base of the flight crew. A draft resolution, prepared by Milan Cabrnoch (ECR, Czech Republic) will be debated and a vote taken at the Parliament plenary session on Wednesday 18. (MD/transl.rt)