Icelandair says pilots’ work and rest hours remain within limits

Icelandair says its pilots’ working hours are below regulatory limits and that its collective agreement with the Association of Icelandic Airline Pilots provides more rest than required in many cases, mbl.is reports.

The airline issued the statement in response to reports about a survey conducted this summer by the Association of Icelandic Airline Pilots among Icelandair pilots. The survey found that more than half of respondents said they had unintentionally fallen asleep while working on board during a three-month period.

A total of 508 pilots took part, representing about 80 percent of the association’s members. Of those, 286 said they had unintentionally fallen asleep while working on board, and one-third said this had happened more than once.

“The safety and wellbeing of passengers and staff are always Icelandair’s priority,” the airline said. “The company follows strict international rules governing the working and rest hours of flight crews.”

The association has presented the survey findings to Icelandair, and the two sides have begun joint work to analyse the results and propose improvements where necessary, the airline said. It added that it was not yet time to discuss the findings in detail in the media.