The association of Maltese airline pilots (Alpa) is opposing new proposals regulating flight time limitations for pilots and cabin crew.

Joining the Euro Cockpit Association (ECA), Maltese pilots have expressed concern about the new proposed rules which will in future “reduce the safety of passengers travelling in Europe”.

The pilots said the new proposals, if approved, would be putting crews on open-ended standby duties for many days without the ability to plan their sleep and would make it legal for pilots to operate an aircraft after having been awake for more than 22 hours.

Publishing its proposals for new rules on the work of pilots and cabin crew, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) denied it was somehow changing the current flight time limitations in the aviation industry.

Instead, it pointed out that the new proposals, which still have to be approved by member states, introduce some 30 new safety improvements.

ALPA president Dominic Azzopardi insisted Malta should oppose the new proposals as they will make the life of pilots difficult with serious risks to passenger safety.

“We have already asked our MEPs to oppose these new rules,” he said.

According to Alpa, the proposals are not scientifically based and are commercially driven to satisfy the necessities of airlines.

The new proposals are designed to amend current EU rules on flight and duty time limitations for commercial air transport.

If approved, the new rules will come into force in 2015.