MONTREAL — Canada's decision to allow some pilot training normally performed in simulators to be conducted in the air because of coronavirus is facing opposition from pilots afraid of increased risk in the cockpit. Regulators globally are granting extensions on pilot medical licenses, along with exemptions for certain training requirements, as hard-hit carriers wrestle with slumping traffic which is expected to result in a $84 billion loss for the industry in 2020 because of the pandemic. But pilots are specifically pushing back against short-term exemptions granted in June by regulator Transport Canada. "Each exemption in itself may not significantly reduce safety but when combined with several other exemptions, it can result in a significant overall reduction of safety as well as fail to meet international standards," Air Line Pilots Association Canada President, Captain Tim Perry, told Reuters.

Source: International New York Times July 09, 2020 18:56 UTC