DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

23 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Plans for single-pilot planes attacked as “gambling with safety”

February 5, 2024
Photo: Depositphotos.com

The Dutch pilots’ association VNV has spoken out against plans to scrap or scale down the co-pilot’s role, calling it an “irresponsible and unnecessary gamble with air safety”.

The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has commissioned a study into the feasibility of single-pilot planes, which is due to be published this summer, while aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Dassault are already working on planes that are designed to be flown by one person.

Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific is rumoured to be looking at cutting the number of pilots on its Airbus 350 planes from four to two for long-haul flights, with only one person in the cockpit for most of the journey.

EASA is studying two scenarios: one in which a co-pilot assists with take-off and landing but is not required for the rest of the flight, and another which would see a single pilot fly the plane with support from a crew member on the ground or technological assistance.

But pilots say the move will compromise passenger safety because co-pilots are better able to respond to sudden or unexpected developments during the flight. A single pilot would also be more vulnerable to incidents on board, such as a hijacking.

“What if the pilot suddenly feels unwell? Then you’re glad that there are two pilots up front,” VNV chairman Camiel Verhagen told NOS.

“Or imagine the pilot needs the toilet. Should they keep an eye on the plane with their trousers round their ankles, or is there nobody at the controls? Taking a pilot out of the cockpit won’t improve any safety issues; in fact it will create one.”

Dutch national airline KLM said it currently had no plans to introduce single-pilot flights. “Safety always comes first for us,” said a spokesman. “That’s why KLM is following the research with interest and waiting to see the results.”

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Aviation Transport
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
AEX falls as Trump threatens 50% import tariff on European goods
Dutch forensic experts develop deepfake video detector
Zaanstad says yes to tourist tickets for Zaanse Schans windmills
Fewer international child abductions by parents last year
Weekend brings showers and cooler weather, sun still possible
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now