Cabin crew ratios discussed at public hearing

The Federal House of Representatives Infrastructure and Communications Committee has held a public hearing to discuss the ratio of cabin crew to passengers on domestic flights, as part of an official inquiry into the matter.

The committee is considering a proposal by CASA that would amend current regulations which stipulate that operators of Australian domestic aircraft carrying between 16 and 216 passengers must carry at least one cabin crew member for every 36 passengers. CASA recommends changing that ratio to one cabin crew member per 50 passengers seats for all aircraft in the 20 to 216 seat category, with that model currently approved for use by a number of airlines since 2006.