Aunt Ju may take to the air again, but...
Ju-Air plans to resume flight operations with its two vintage aircraft on Friday (17.8.). Following the recent crash of a Ju-52, no indications of a general technical problem have emerged so far, according to Bazl. However, before the Ju-52s are allowed back into the air, the operators must have implemented precautionary measures.
Anyone who has ever worked with the "Aunt Ju" had flown, he probably got a queasy feeling when he heard the news report of August 4, 2018: For reasons that are still inexplicable today, but various speculations, the vintage Junkers Ju-52 crashed on Piz Segnas on this hot day. 20 people were killed in the accident.
The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (Bazl) has agreed with the operator Ju-Air and the Swiss Safety Investigation Authority (Sust) analyzed the situation. At the moment, Bazl said, there are no indications of a general technical problem with the vintage aircraft from the 1930s that would justify grounding the two Swiss Ju-52s. The Sust investigation could continue for several weeks to months until a first interim result is available. If any indication of a technical problem emerges during that time, the situation would be reassessed and a flight ban imposed if necessary, the federal office stresses, but it will require the operator to take precautionary measures.
Implement three points
Until further findings from the accident investigation are available, Ju-Air must implement precautionary measures:
First the Bazl requires that, for the time being, flights must maintain a minimum altitude that is higher than the minimum altitude required by law.
Second from now on, Ju-Air aircraft must carry a GPS data recorder that records every flight and allows subsequent assessment of the flight route.
Third passengers should also remain strapped in during the flight and no longer be able to circulate freely in the aircraft. This also applies to visits to the cockpit during the flight.
Ju-Air has already assured Bazl that it will implement these requirements before the start of flight operations, as Bazl announced on August 16. However, should further measures emerge from the ongoing safety investigation, the Federal Office reserves the right to order additional immediate measures.
What does the head of Ju-Air say?
Economic factors played no role in the decision to resume flights with the two old-timers. This is what Ju-Air CEO Kurt Waldmeier said at a press conference in Dübendorf on Friday morning, August 17. He also announced figures: According to the figures, 80 percent of passengers remain loyal to Ju-Air despite the accident and keep their already booked flights. Waldmeier said that 10 percent had postponed their tickets until later and another 10 percent had cancelled them. (rs)
