Wizz-Air CEO József Váradi demands from his employees, too tired of working – sometimes it is necessary to “go the extra mile”. The pilots' association Cockpit criticizes this sharply. Flight crew fatigue has led to several accidents and crashes.

In almost all areas of aviation, staff were massively reduced during the Corona crisis in Europe. Too many employees have been laid off and often left the industry permanently due to the poor working conditions. Now people want to fly again and there is a lack of personnel everywhere to handle planes, to refuel them, to look after the passengers or to fly the planes. 

Due to the low staffing levels on the ground and in the air, many airlines had to cancel hundreds of flights as a precaution. The recovery had been foreseeable for months. Although flight cancellations hurt passengers and companies, they are ultimately the most sensible course of action in the current situation from a flight safety perspective. For good reason, it is not allowed to fly overtired and a well-rested crew is a safety asset that cannot be forgone. 

"Even in times of staff shortages, flight safety is not optional," says VC President Stefan Herth. “Air transport workers are working extremely hard to keep all flights operating as planned. Despite all the bad planning, the airlines are called upon to be aware of their responsibility when it comes to safety and not to push their employees to work at the limit of exhaustion. Nobody wants tired pilots in the cockpit. In the current situation, however, some of those responsible are overshooting the mark and building up undue pressure. What the CEO of Wizzair is suggesting through his recent comments on the subject of flying under fatigue is a very problematic understanding of safety culture. Those involved at all levels – from the employees themselves to those responsible in safety departments and authorities to company management and decision-makers in politics – are called upon to take a close look at the situation of employees in aviation. The Safety First principle is absolutely essential and non-negotiable.”