On Thursday, May 13, 2010, the SkyTeam Pilots Association (SPA) concluded its semi-annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. The pilots of the SPA continue their unprecedented cooperation, mutual support and information sharing at their member airlines in areas including safety, security, industrial matters, industry consolidation and other related issues of concern in today’s fast paced global aviation environment.
 
Much of the week’s deliberations focused on the ongoing catastrophic disruption of air travel across the Atlantic due to continued eruptions of the Eyjafjallajokul Volcano in Iceland. Although the global media coverage of last month’s massive eruption has faded, continued eruptions and ash plumes continue to result in airspace closures from the coast of Western Europe all the way to Turkey.
SkyTeam Pilots Association, Chairman Captain Mike Pinho, stated, “In many respects, the current crisis due to the eruptions and resulting airspace closures is no less significant to the struggling airline industry than 9/11, the SARS crisis in Asia or the H1N1 crisis in Mexico.”
Flight operations around areas impacted by volcanic activity involve certain risks, but the SPA believes that many of these risks can be mitigated through a number of measures such as avoidance, recognition and effective aircrew training.
 
Many experts believe that the current role and reporting of Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) is antiquated due to outdated modeling tools, lack of acceptance of data obtained through other proven scientific measurements and the failure to use real time data.
 
The SPA recommends the immediate adoption of the following industry wide guidelines to help provide a science-based, common sense, globally consistent approach to operations around volcanic activity:
 

• Use the operational experience of airlines, pilot organizations and pilots, in conjunction with the latest science-based reporting criteria, to the maximum extent possible, in order to safely conduct flight operations in the vicinity of potential volcanic ash clouds.
• The “Go / No Go” decision must be a shared responsibility of civil aviation authorities, airline managements and pilot representative authorities to reach consensus before flight operations are cancelled and/or resumed.

• Clear, consistent, globally accepted and industry-wide flight guidelines and standards are critical to safe flight around areas of volcanic activity and must be immediately adopted.

• A more collaborative approach is necessary. Pilot representative organizations must be allowed to participate in both the rule-making and decision-making process to improve future operations around volcanic activity.

• Aircraft and engine manufacturers must immediately establish new safe levels of ash concentrations and exposure levels in which normal or adapted airline operations can take place.

 
SPA Chairman, Captain Mike Pinho, reiterated that, “The SPA remains committed to the concept of One Level of Safety throughout the alliance and we strongly believe the guidelines above will provide a basis for safe and more efficient operations around volcanic activity. Today’s airline environment remains harsh, and the industry cannot tolerate bureaucratic bungling disguised as safety. Decisions must be made using the latest scientific techniques and a common sense, consensus based approach.”
 
The SPA also continued its dialogue on the future of the SkyTeam Alliance. The SPA recommitted to enhancing the relationships between pilot groups whose networks are connected, both inside and outside of international alliances. The SPA Executive Board strongly believes in the importance of international alliances and the potential they hold for strengthening our companies and the careers of all SkyTeam pilots.
 
The SkyTeam Pilots Association will next meet in the fall of 2010 in Seattle.
 
The SkyTeam Pilots Association consists of representatives of pilots from nine member airlines around the world who maintain international codeshare agreements with each other. The SPA represents 31000 professional pilots. Members include pilots from AeroMexico, Aeroflot, Air France, Alaska, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, and Delta. Together, SPA member pilots safely fly almost 384 million passengers per year (one of every four airline passengers in the world) to nearly 856 destinations in 169 countries.
 

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