‘Airline must have enough crew members to handle emergencies’

KUCHING: The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) has called for Malaysia Airlines to ensure that there are sufficient crew members on flights to handle emergencies.

Niosh chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye cited the latest security threat on board a Malaysia Airlines flight from Melbourne, Australia to Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

“The Kuala Lumpur-bound MH128 aircraft was forced to turn back to Melbourne following an incident involving a disruptive passenger.

“Malaysia Airlines confirmed that the MH128 departed Melbourne Airport at 11.11pm on May 31 and was scheduled to arrive at Kuala Lumpur at 5.28am on June 1. However, it made a turn back to Melbourne after the operating captain was alerted by cabin crew of a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit,” he said in a media statement on Thursday.

Based on news reports, Lee said passengers had to help its crew members to overpower the suspect, who had attempted to break into the Airbus A330’s cockpit and had issued threats.

“As a frequent flyer of Malaysia Airlines, I have observed that effective Oct 1, there were fewer flight attendants on board its aircraft. The number of flight attendants on its Boeing 737, for example, had been reduced from six to only four.

“Apparently, this is the result of Malaysia Airlines Bhd’s cost-cutting measures as part of the airline’s rationalisation programme. What concerns me is the safety and comfort of the passengers since fewer flight attendants will be in the First, Business and Economy classes at any one time,” he said.

According to Lee, if the pilot or first officer needs to go out from the cockpit, a cabin crew member has to be in the cockpit in line with international aviation regulations, which requires two persons to be in the cockpit at all times.

“Flight attendants have an important role in ensuring the safety and welfare of passengers. They have to inspect safety equipment, check security, ensure that the passengers are seated correctly, give the safety presentation, indicate emergency exits with clear obstruction, stow hand baggage safely, secure galleys and work fields, as well as observe passengers’ reactions.

“In case of emergencies, cabin crew members have to ensure that passengers would follow emergency procedures. They may have to deal with emergencies, such as cabin fires, first-aid situations or hijackings,” he said.

As such, he said Malaysia Airlines should review the number of cabin attendants and ensure that there are always sufficient numbers to handle any situation, especially emergencies.

“It is only right for its management to increase the number of crew members and improve the working conditions as it will ensure that the national carrier can soar as high as it used to.

“The airline has no choice but to go the extra mile to raise customers’ confidence by making passengers (feel) safe and comfortable flying with them again,” added Lee.