Duty of doctors to notify airline pilots' state of health

23.4.2015

Question for written answer P-006603-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Anneli Jäätteenmäki (ALDE)

Under Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, driving licences may be refused to persons whom a doctor has diagnosed on the basis of examinations as suffering from certain mental disorders. In this case the doctor has the duty to notify the patient’s mental disorders to the authorities, and the driving licence is not granted. The recent major air crash in Europe could have been avoided if doctors had had a corresponding duty in respect of airline pilots. The EU has adopted a regulation (No 1178/2011) on requirements and procedures related to civil aviation aircrew. Annex IV in particular concerns medical requirements, and point MED.B.055 deals with psychiatric diseases. Under this regulation, aero-medical examiners (AMEs), and GPs acting as occupational health medical practitioners (OHMPs), have a duty to notify the aviation authorities of matters liable to jeopardise the safety of passengers and thus to lead to refusal of a pilot’s licence.

Is there any provision in EC law whereby other doctors, i.e. those not acting as AMEs or OHMPs, also have a duty of notification in respect of airline pilots if a pilot is found to be unfit to perform his duties, and does the Commission have any plans to bring forward such legislation?