Safety
Airlines, Labor Dig In on Pilot Duty Rule Exemption
The FAA’s new pilot duty rule, which excludes all-cargo operators, adequately protects both passenger and cargo airline crews, according to A4A president and CEO Nicholas Calio. (Photo: A4A)
The FAA’s new pilot duty rule, which excludes all-cargo operators, adequately protects both passenger and cargo airline crews, according to A4A president and CEO Nicholas Calio. (Photo: A4A)

The line has sharpened between airlines and labor groups over the FAA’s decision to exclude all-cargo operations from its new, stricter pilot flight duty rule, scheduled to take effect in January next year. Airlines for America (A4A), the trade organization representing major U.S. airlines, issued a statement on January 7 reaffirming its support of the duty rule as published and urging Congress to reject new legislation that would change the rule to include all-cargo carriers.