Latest news with #FRMS
The South African
19-07-2025
- General
- The South African
FlySafair pilots too tired to fly YOUR flight
The ongoing dispute between FlySafair and its pilots, now escalating into a two-week strike, has cast the spotlight on a critical aviation safety concern: Pilot fatigue and deteriorating work-life balance in South Africa's low-cost airline sector. While much of the public discourse has focused on flight delays and salary disputes, pilots represented by Union Solidarity say the core issue goes far beyond pay. According to the union, the strike action – supported by 88% of FlySafair pilots – is rooted in mounting frustration over excessive workloads, inadequate rest periods, and unrelenting rosters that they argue jeopardise both safety and well-being. 'The majority of our pilots are burnt out,' a Solidarity spokesperson said. 'Many of them report chronic fatigue and minimal recovery time between long duty cycles. This is not just about salaries – it's about safety in the skies.' Aviation experts warn that pilot fatigue is a real and growing risk, especially as airlines expand their schedules to meet post-pandemic demand. Fatigued pilots are more likely to make errors in judgment, and international safety bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have urged airlines globally to adopt strict Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS). FlySafair's pilots have reportedly expressed concern over scheduling practices that often push legal limits, with rest periods allegedly falling below international best practices. 'We've raised these concerns repeatedly,' said one pilot on condition of anonymity. 'But nothing changes. We're simply exhausted.' FlySafair, meanwhile, has defended its rostering and safety record. Spokesperson Kirby Gordon said the airline complies with all Civil Aviation Authority regulations and is committed to constructive engagement with staff. 'We are disappointed in the strike escalation but are working hard to minimise disruptions,' Gordon said. 'FlySafair's number one priority remains the safety of our passengers and crew.' The airline has adjusted its flight schedules and issued penalty-free rebooking options for affected travellers. Aviation analysts say FlySafair's situation reflects broader tensions in the low-cost carrier model, where lean staffing and high-frequency flights can stretch crew members thin. 'South African aviation is overdue for a conversation about crew fatigue and sustainable scheduling,' said aviation consultant Nkululeko Dube. 'Fatigue doesn't just affect one airline – it's an industry-wide concern that requires regulation and transparency.' The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is facilitating talks between FlySafair and Solidarity. While the union remains open to mediation, it insists that pilot wellness must be prioritised before any deal is reached. 'No matter how well-maintained a plane is, it's only as safe as the people flying it,' Solidarity concluded. Strike duration : Two weeks starting Monday, 21 July : Two weeks starting Monday, 21 July Core issue : Pilot fatigue and poor work-life balance : Pilot fatigue and poor work-life balance Union stance : Rest time and wellness must be addressed : Rest time and wellness must be addressed Airline response : Flights adjusted; mediation ongoing : Flights adjusted; mediation ongoing Safety concern: Experts urge stronger fatigue regulation Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Floodgates to be installed by River Irwell close to where 700 homes were damaged
Huge floodgates are to be installed to better protect hundreds of homes and businesses. The steel structures, at Hardy's Bridge, Radcliffe will help reduce flood risk along a six kilometre stretch of the river in the Radcliffe and Redvales area where more than 700 homes flooded in 2015. A planning application lodged in the past week by the Environment Agency states the bridge, which carries Dumers Lane over the River Irwell, will form the next phase of flood defences. Radcliffe and Redvales Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS) aims to reduce the flood risk from the river south of Bury and west of Radcliffe. READ MORE: 'Sweet, kind and generous' girl, 3, killed in city centre Metrolink crash named by police READ MORE: Vaping horror as first ever study reveals deadly side effects There is a long history of flooding in the area from the river over-topping its banks. The Boxing Day 2015 deluge resulted in flood damage to more than 700 homes, multiple commercial properties and critical infrastructure such as Bury waste water treatment works and electricity substations. The area also experienced flooding during the storm Ciara in February 2020. The planning application, said: 'The proposed works involve installation of two floodgates at the southern and northern ends of the bridge, as well as raising and re-profiling the level of the carriageway and pedestrian walkways to facilitate water drainage during flood events. 'The southern gate involves installing a 1.3m high, 18.48m long sliding gate, which will sit behind the new flood defence wall on the northern side of the bridge. 'The northern gate involves the installation of two swing gates, approximately 1m high and 6.88m long, attached to the bridge pilasters at each side of the bridge.' The report said that during flood risk weather, the slide-operated floodgates would be moved into place with a mechanical winch. The report said the gates would 'defend the area from an extreme flood as well as ensure that flood levels remain unaffected elsewhere'. The planning application forecasts that, if approved, the installation of the floodgates on Dumers Lane will take around four weeks to complete. The report assumes that the installation of each floodgate could be achieved with one-lane closures on Dumers Lane, meaning no full bridge road closures. Planners at Bury Council will decide on the plans in the coming weeks.
