Pilots' union slams Jet2 for 'refusing to recognise concerns about fatigue and stress'

Manchester Airport-based airline Jet2 has been criticised by the pilots' union for refusing to recognise concerns about pilots' 'fatigue and stress'.

The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) said the airline's rostering practices were 'not sustainable', could impact pilot health and result in a 'clear impact on safety'. The union and the airline have been at loggerheads since at least 2015 over how pilot hours are managed. The airline has so far not responded.

In a statement, BALPA said it was 'dismayed' the airline was refusing to recognise its pilots' concerns 'about fatigue and stress caused by roster disruption'. The airline's pilots have asked the airline to 'agree meaningful safety protections for their rosters', according to BALPA.

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It follows concern about the 'more permissive' flight time rules across Europe which BALPA says are viewed as 'targets and not maximum limits'. The pilots' union said the rostering practices 'are not sustainable in the long run and could have a detrimental effect on pilots’ health and wellbeing resulting in a clear impact on safety'.

It says it has written to Jet2 'to offer to work collaboratively to find mutually beneficial safety systems that protect staff and the travelling public by keeping safety at the heart of operations'.

But the airline cited 'cost' and a 'lack of resources' and 'bluntly refuses to work' with them, according to BALPA, which went on that while the airline presented itself as 'family friendly' it has actually 'always been anti-trade union'.

BALPA national officer Terry Brandon said: "BALPA recently wrote to Jet2