Airline denies pilots under pressure to fly with less fuel
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DISCOUNT airline Ryanair last night vigorously rejected claims that its pilots were being pressured into flying with less fuel in a bid to cut soaring costs.
Weekend reports claimed pilots had been under pressure to fly with less fuel through a cap on safety reserves, and that the airline was saving money by curbing the discretionary rights of pilots to request extra fuel.
Under aviation rules, every plan must have a contingency load of trip fuel to enable it carry out an approach, hold or divert to an alternative airport.
Ryanair said there was "absolutely no truth" that its pilots were were being told to fly with less fuel. "Safety is not going to be compromised under any circumstances," said a spokeswoman.
Flight plan fuel policy included taking on sufficient fuel to cover taxiing, flight time, alternative airports and contingency situations. "We don't allow this limit to be exceeded or reduced except in exceptional circumstances. No pilot is allowed to fly with minimum fuel," she said.
The Irish Aviation Authority said that Ryanair was adhering to the legal requirement for fuel for all its flights.
Without naming airlines, Irish Airline Pilots' Association president Evan Cullen said last night: "I do know for a fact that some airlines are far more aggressive in how they pursue their commercial objectives regarding fuel and other issues."
- Fergus Black
