The Austrian pilot association, the Austrian Cockpit Association, is concerned about the latest developments at the Vienna base of the Maltese Lauda Europe. It must be guaranteed that the pilots can be 100 percent aware ("situation awareness") on the matter.

According to the ACA, this also means being able to rely on fitness and thus on all the resources of the human body. “But if I only get money when I go flying, it is understandable that I also show up for duty when I am a little bit battered. This can be for health reasons, a slight cold, a little stomach ache, if I slept badly, or maybe have to cope with a stroke of fate, I will fly under these conditions. Because I need the money, ”said the pilots' association.

A few days ago the Vida union announced that Lauda Europe the basic salaries are to be canceled. Instead, 40 euros gross per flight hour will be paid in the future, but only if the pilot is actually on duty. On request, Lauda Europe denies the statements of the Vida union, which are based on documents and reports from pilots of this company. The allegations would be completely out of thin air and would be completely untrue, according to the management of the Ryanair subsidiary.

What is remarkable, however, is the fact that some Lauda Europe pilots have extensive knowledge of the plans that Vida and ACA are up against. Accordingly, only those pilots who are employed with seasonal contracts should initially be affected. This information simply does not fit the total denial of the company management.

The ACA further declares that they will join Vida’s demand and also intends that the Austrian government and the EU should intervene and “put a stop to such working conditions”. Furthermore: “The fact that this is actually forbidden by law, because I might have a family to look after, will then take a back seat. The consequence may be that, due to a lack of 'situation awareness', I do not recognize so-called threats, i.e. negative external influences, or too late, and thus come to a state that can lead to a massive impairment of flight safety. "