Dutch MEPs are supporting efforts to phase out the way some airlines are employing pilots on zero hours contracts via staffing agencies, which, experts say, has implications for passenger safety.

A report by the University of Ghent earlier this year shows half of the pilots who work for budget airlines such as Ryanair end up working for airlines via a staffing agency on a zero hours contract.

Young, inexperienced pilots are more likely to be employed via agencies, the research shows. In addition, they often end up effectively paying to fly because airlines charge them for building up experience in flying different sorts of planes. This is known in the industry as ‘pay-to-fly’.

The MEPs – Peter van Dalen (ChristenUnie), Wim van de Camp (CDA) and Agnes Jongerius (PvdA) – say these ways of employing pilots should be banned.

‘This is a sector in which trust between airline and pilot is key and that is being completely undermined,’ Van der Camp told Nos radio programme Reporter.

‘It is outrageous that pilots are afraid to report in sick because they fear losing their jobs,’ Jongerius is quoted as saying by the Volkskrant.

Junior transport minister Wilma Mansveld wants Brussels to take action and is looking in to the situation in the Netherlands, news agency ANP reported.