Reuters is reporting that Cathay Pacific Airways is working with Airbus to introduce "reduced crew" long-haul flights with a sole pilot in the cockpit much of the time.
Known within Airbus as Project Connect, Reuters says it aims to certify the A350 for single-pilot operations during the high-altitude cruise part of the flight, from 2025 on Cathay passenger flights.
The move promises significant savings for airlines with long-haul flights that carry two crews - four pilots - but will face massive pushback from pilots and most likely passengers.
"While we are engaging with Airbus in the development of the concept of reduced crew operations, we have not committed in any way to being the launch customer," the Hong Kong carrier told Reuters.
"Commercial implementation would first require extensive testing, regulatory approval and pilot training with "absolutely no compromise on safety", Cathay said.
Airbus has previously disclosed plans to add the single-pilot capability to the A350, but the airlines' participation had not been reported. Work has resumed after the COVID-19 crisis paused the programme, Chief Test Pilot Christophe Cail said.
"We've proven over decades we can enhance safety by putting the latest technology in aircraft," Cail told Reuters, declining to identify project partners. "As for any design evolution, we are working with airlines."
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Boeing has also been working on a single pilot, and pilotless aircraft but a senior executive told Airlineratings.com that it was simply not possible to design out every scenario and that pilots were needed.
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