Brussels, 05/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - Last week, the European social partners began negotiations on the flying time of cabin crews and pilots, which should in principal finish in May. The aim is to reach a common definition of flying time, rest time, etc. in order to achieve a harmonisation of working time in European aviation transport.
The negotiations gathers together the Federation of Transport Trade Unions and the European Cockpit Association, on the side of the trade unions, and the Association of European Airlines (AEA), the Association of Regional Airlines and the IACA (International Civil Aviation organisation), on the side of the employers. The first round of these negotiations was "positive", according to the representatives of the trade unions. The two parties have set their work programme and established two technical working groups. The next plenary meeting will take place on 1 and 2 April.