New rules to combat airline pilot fatigue are being attacked from both sides, with industry advocates predicting an expensive pilot shortage and pilots unions saying the regulations don’t go far enough to protect safety. The proposed federal regulations, published Friday, would cut the number of consecutive hours pilots are allowed to fly from 14 to between 9 and 13, depending on what time of day the flight takes off. The regulations would also increase the amount of rest time pilots must take between flights and reduce the annual number of hours pilots can fly to 1,000 from 1,200, bringing Canada more in line with international aviation standards. The regulations’ impact on the airline industry may be significant. Transport Canada estimates the changes will cost airlines about C$338m over the next 15 years. <br/>
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Dubai Airports confirmed Sunday there have been no changes to the electronics ban on board direct flights from Dubai to the US after the ban was lifted on flights from Abu Dhabi. Dubai Airports said it has offered “full cooperation to work with regulatory officials, control authorities, and Emirates airline to satisfy the US directive as quickly as possible.” It added, however, that there are no timelines to announce regarding the possible lifting on the ban. The comments come a day after Etihad Airways said it is fully lifting the electronics ban on board its flights to the US after receiving approval to do so from the US Department of Homeland Security. Abu Dhabi Airports confirmed that the ban was lifted on all flights to the US from Abu Dhabi International Airport. <br/>