Rare ! Dual-Employment Of Pilot , First Officer Caught Flying For Two Airlines.

• Several pilots annoyed over KM Malta Airlines’ lack of action against a pilot caught working simultaneously for another carrier.
• The incident came forward when First Officer D****a T****a was caught flying Virgin Atlantic aircraft while in employment of KM Malta Airlines.
• The First Officer was using her mandatory rest periods for travelling to London and flying Virgin Atlantic planes out of Heathrow airport.

Several pilots employed with Malta’s new state-funded air carrier, KM Malta Airlines, are up in arms over the airline’s decision to allow an woman pilot caught working simultaneously with another airline.

KM Malta Airlines, Malta's rebranded state-owned carrier, is facing criticism after it was found that one of its pilots was also working for the British airline Virgin Atlantic. This dual employment not only violates contractual agreements, but also poses a significant risk to international safety regulations.

First reported by The Shift, the incident happened last month when First Officer D****a T****a, employed with the new government-owned airline, was caught by chance flying Virgin Atlantic planes in the UK while also working as a pilot for KM Malta Airlines.

• As soon as Virgin Atlantic's managers were informed of her double-occupation, they reacted promptly and fired her on the spot. 
• KM Malta Airlines initially suspended her, only to reinstate her a short while later, so she’s still flying at the airline.
• The pilot's dual employment action violate several fundamental principles those in breach of the aviation safety.
• International safety regulations impose strict requirements on duty and rest times to ensure that pilots are sufficiently rested and can focus fully on flight operations. 

Her colleagues told The Shift that T****a, instead of observing her obligatory rest periods, was using the time to travel to London to fly Virgin Atlantic planes out of Heathrow Airport.

It is unclear how long T****a had been doing double the time on her flights before being let go by Virgin Atlantic when they found out she was working for another airline.

The Shift is informed that Virgin Atlantic’s managers fired T****a on the spot as soon as they learned what the first officer was doing.

Apart from a severe breach of contract, the pilot also broke international safety rules that impose strict regulatory constraints regarding duty times and rest periods to ensure passenger and crew safety.

As per International standards, it is recommended that for standard operations, this cumulative flight duty period not exceed 10 hours within a 24-hour period. Standard operations include multiple flight segments and day or night flying.

ICAO Definition Of Rest periods 

• The definition of rest period requires that flight or cabin crew members be relieved of all duties for the purpose of recovering from fatigue.
• The way in which this recovery is achieved is the responsibility of the flight or cabin crew member. Extended rest periods should be given on a regular basis.
• Rest periods should not include standby if the conditions of the standby would not enable flight and cabin crew members to recover from fatigue. Suitable accommodation on the ground is required at places where rest periods are taken in order to allow effective recovery. 

For now, T****a, who was not in senior roles in both the carriers, continues to work with the KM Malta Airlines, even though the company has been informed of the situation.

While T****a’s actions severely breach her contract as a pilot with KM Malta Airlines, her two jobs also go against EU aviation safety regulations, to which pilots are obliged to adhere.

These norms include strict flying time and obligatory rest periods to ensure that whoever is flying a plane is fully rested and concentrated on his job for safety reasons.

It's simple, Pilots cannot work for competitors or other airlines to ensure they are fully committed to their jobs. They must also ensure they meet the minimum rest requirements and manage their availability to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Many in the Aviation industry believe that T****a could have compromised the airline’s insurance and liability as well as her own.

Earlier this year, Air Malta transitioned to KM Malta Airlines, abandoning its old branding but retaining most of its failed managers and consultants.