BALPA (British Airline Pilots Association) recent advertisement in some national newspapers regarding safety has been strongly challenged by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) representing 230 organisations involved with air transport. Essentially what ERA says is that BALPA has been misleading with information particularly with regard to safety and consultation by Brussels with the industry. ERA has been a participant in the harmonisation process since 1989. Information on the ERA website provided by member airlines shows that the average regional pilot operates only around 45 block hours a month (10.5 hours per week). ”Industrial rather than safety issues are the prime drivers for the union position,” said ERA director Mike Ambrose in a statement to ABTN.
http://www.eraa.org