Ryanair pilots have denounced as "insane" attempts to pressurise them into flying with less fuel by imposing a cap on their safety reserves. The low-cost airline is saving money by curbing the discretionary rights of pilots to request extra fuel. The disclosure, made in internal company documents seen by The Sunday Times, has led to claims that the safety of passengers is being compromised as the price of oil soars. Details of Ryanair's policies emerged as the Civil Aviation Authority revealed that the number of emergencies declared in British airspace because of fuel shortages had doubled in five years. Last year, 27 planes were given the right to make priority landings, up from 11 in 2003.
The low-cost airline is saving money by curbing the discretionary rights of pilots to request extra fuel.
The disclosure, made in internal company documents seen by The Sunday Times, has led to claims that the safety of passengers is being compromised as the price of oil soars.
Details of Ryanair's policies emerged as the Civil Aviation Authority revealed that the number of emergencies declared in British airspace because of fuel shortages had doubled in five years. Last year, 27 planes were given the right to make priority landings, up from 11 in 2003.
