Germany to revoke airline pilots "rule of two"

German airlines are set to revoke the obligation for two crew members to be present in the cockpit at all times, dubbed "rule of two".

This "rule of two" was introduced in 2015 after Germanwings pilot Andreas Lubitz was presumed to have locked the captain out of the flight deck and intentionally crashed the Airbus plane into the French Alps, killing all 150 on board.

The German Aviation Association (BDL) announced the decision Friday in Berlin, arguing that evaluations have shown "no security gain by the rule of two", since the rule raises the frequency in which the cockpit doors are opened and also broadens the circle of persons allowed on the flight deck, increasing the risk of unauthorized access.

The danger of a criminal or terrorist attack is "still to be considered more present", according to the BDL. There have only been four comparable events of suicide since 1931, during two of which the pilot was alone in the cockpit. In comparison, there have been 1,047 aircraft hijackings over the same period.

Against the background of the mentally ill Germanwings pilot, airline companies have given assurances that the pilot's medical examinations will have a stronger focus on psychological and psychiatric aspects.

They also promised more stable employment conditions, access to disability insurance and psychological consultation programs as well as more wide-reaching employee support.

The new security regulation will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Office and implemented by June 1, at the latest, the BDL announced. Endit