Union says air safety at risk

OTTAWA— The union representing federal licensed pilot inspectors says one in five inspection jobs is vacant, jeopardizing airline safety.

The Canadian Federal Pilots Association has released a study that shows there are 100 openings for pilot inspectors out of a workforce that is supposed to total 499.

The study found 30 per cent of aviation enforcement jobs are unfilled and 29 per cent of aviation safety system jobs are empty.

Capt. Daniel Slunder, the president of the association, says major air carriers are no longer closely inspected because of the staffing shortfall, coupled with a system of airline self-regulation.

Officials from Transport Canada acknowledged to a parliamentary committee this week that staffing levels are not where they should be.

However, the department said in an email Friday that “Transport Canada has enough inspectors to do the job, and to do it well.”