ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – Airline Swiss said Friday it is increasing security measures by adopting the “two in cockpit” rule that European airline officials are recommending in the wake of the Germanwings crash in the French Alps earlier this week.
The airline said in a statement:
“Swiss has resolved to modify its already-extensive cockpit safety procedures as a precautionary measure. In the event of the absence of either of the two pilots at any time during the flight, a further crew member must be present in the cockpit with the remaining pilot. The new provision, which enters into effect immediately, has been adopted in the light of recent events and an advised safety recommendation from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).”
Swiss is owned by Lufthansa, the parent of Germanwings, a low-cost carrier.
Investigators are saying that the airplane appears to have been crashed intentionally by the co-pilot, who, alone in the cockpit, locked the pilot out during the final minutes of the flight.