Virgin Atlantic Pilot Fired After Working For Another Airline At The Same Time

Being an airline pilot comes with many responsibilities. As a result, the industry is heavily regulated. Pilots fly a limited number of hours in a duty period to ensure that they are razor-sharp and focused on the safe operation of the aircraft.

This particular situation is both impressive and troubling. The entrepreneurial pilot flew simultaneously for Malta’s new state-funded carrier KM Malta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

Two-timing

According to the Shift, First Officer Danica Theuma was employed by both KM Malta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. It appears that she has been working for both airlines simultaneously, at least since December 2023, until she was caught last month by chance.

Theuma mainly flew for KM Malta Airlines and, during her time off, flew to London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) and operated aircraft under the Virgin Atlantic banner. While the breach of contract is obvious, the main issue with this situation is that Theuma was breaking her rest and duty limitations by working for Virgin Atlantic during her mandatory rest period.

Not having adequate rest severely reduces performance and can lead to impaired decision-making, which can result in disastrous emergency results. In addition to breaking airline regulations, Theuma also broke ICAO and EU regulations, putting both airlines at risk of fines and penalties and possibly compromising the airline’s insurance and liability.

In addition, Theuma could also have been falsifying records, specifically her logbooks as if she logged her actual hours, she would have been clearly breaking the law and may have been caught earlier during exams and currency checks.

Once caught, Virgin promptly dismissed the rookie pilot. However, KM Malta Airlines only suspended her before reinstating her shortly after. So she’s still actively flying for the airline, much to the dismay of her fellow pilots. According to senior pilots at the airline, the pilot’s guild is furious with the decision to slap her on the wrist.

Duty regulations for pilots

There are strict duty regulations for pilots worldwide, and breaking these will put both the pilot and the operator at risk. It can be grounds for revoking the pilot’s license.

According to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), a pilot must not operate an aircraft if they are fatigued or feel unfit to the extent that they would endanger the flight. Without adequate rest, a person’s motor skills and decision-making suffer, similar to those inhibited by alcohol or drugs.

Pilots involved in multi-pilot commercial operations have the following duty time limitations imposed by the EU, according to the European Cockpit Association:

• Flight time:
  • Maximum of 10 hours of actual flight time per day, with a two-hour extension under special circumstances.
  • Maximum of 100 hours of flight time in any 28 days.
  • Maximum time of 900 hours in a calendar year.
• Duty times:
  • Maximum of 13 hours per day.
  • Maximum of 190 hours in any 28 consecutive days.

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