"worrying" employment practices among budget airlines

A DAMNING report which warned that the growth in zero-hours contracts for pilots was putting passengers at risk highlights the need to crack down on the employment loopholes abused by the aviation industry, a Scottish MEP has said.

A DAMNING report which warned that the growth in zero-hours contracts for pilots was putting passengers at risk highlights the need to crack down on the employment loopholes abused by the aviation industry, a Scottish MEP has said.

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Budget airline Ryanair was among those criticised pilots and cabin crew on "atypical" contracts

      

Alyn Smith, of the SNP, condemned the trend away from permanent contracts for pilots, especially among some of the major low-cost carriers.
The report, 'Atypical Employment in Aviation', warned that the rise in irregular contracts was fuelling job insecurity and fatigue among staff, which in turn jeopardised safety.

Alyn Smith, one of Scotland's six MEPs and a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, said the report was "deeply worrying" for passengers who use budget airlines including Ryanair, Wizz and Norwegian - which were named among the worst offenders.
Nearly half of pilots working for low fares airlines in Europe were on temporary contracts, self-employed, or recruited via agencies, according to the European Commission-funded study by Ghent University, in Belgium.

Full report here .