Plane Turnaround Times Compromise Airport Safety

The time to prepare aircraft for departure must be fixed at a minimum of one hour, Britain's main aviation union is insisting.

The Transport and General Workers Union is calling for the new standard as part of a charter for safer working practices at Gatwick airport. The charter also calls for a new maximum weight of 23 Kg for each piece of passenger baggage, containers to be used for stowing all hold baggage in planes, and action to reduce carbon dioxide pollution at Gatwick.

Launching the charter, T&G general secretary Tony Woodley said:

"Events over the past fortnight have highlighted the need for improved security at airports.  Security and airport safety go hand in hand, and the measures we are including in our charter will help make flying safer for passengers as well as protecting airport workers from unnecessary accidents."

"It is no longer acceptable that the intense competition between companies operating at Gatwick can be allowed to drive down health and safety standards. A culture of corner-cutting is growing up, most obviously visible in the continuing reductions being sought in turnaround time for aircraft between landing and departure."

"Passengers are bemused by the rush to get them off planes so that another group of passengers can be rushed into their seats while they are still warm. It is obvious that this compromises safety and security, and it is time for our airports and airlines to call a halt to the practice. We believe that a one-hour turnaround time is sensible, and can be implemented by any company which has a genuine interest in passenger and employee safety."

The T&G Gatwick Charter is being discussed at senior level with airport authorities and the Health and Safety Executive.

The T&G also plans to raise the issues with the major aircraft handling companies, and the charter will form the focus of a T&G airport safety campaign in coming weeks.

Source: T&G press release


 
 
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