Air Canada pilots urge regulatory agencies, airlines to support independent crash investigation, wait to impose new rules

TORONTO, Ontario, 1 April 2015. "We urge all players in the global aviation industry to support the independent investigation into the Germanwings tragedy so that its findings and recommendations can be used to improve aviation safety worldwide,” says Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) President Captain Ian Smith. “This can only be accomplished if all stakeholders refrain from speculation and interference, allow the investigation to reach unbiased conclusions and recommendations, then dedicate themselves to applying any lessons learned to our own jurisdictions and operations.”

Smith, on behalf of ACPA, is responding to changes in Air Canada safety procedures and new regulatory requirements announced by the federal government that would require two crew members in the flight deck while operating a flight.

"Air Canada Pilots Association is presently reviewing the changes issued by the Transport Minister,” Smith affirms. “We realize they are intended to improve safety for our passengers and fellow crew members by harmonizing regulations and procedures with international standards.

“We will be working in association with Transport Canada to achieve an industry standard practice that will be an acceptable resolution to this interim process, once the Germanwings investigation is completed and all the facts are available,” Smith adds. “We must work together to ensure that the lives lost in this incident are not forgotten and the tragedy is never repeated."

The Air Canada Pilots Association is the largest professional pilot group in Canada, representing the more than 3,000 pilots who fly millions of passengers across Canada and around the world on Air Canada and Air Canada rouge.