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Norwegian leads with cockpit procedure changes following Germanwings crash

Norwegian leads with cockpit procedure changes following Germanwings crash

Low-cost carrier Norwegian has decided to change its cockpit procedures so that two crew members always are present in the cockpit.

Norwegian had been examining cockpit procedures prior to the crash.

However, in light of the tragic Germanwings accident, the airline said it was speeding up the process so that two crew members always are present in the cockpit.

Germanwings flight 4U 9525 crashed on Tuesday in southern France with the loss of 150 lives.

It is presently believed co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed the aircraft after suffering with depression.

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The new Norwegian procedures mean that if one of the pilots leaves the cockpit, one crew member must replace him/her during this time.

A statement explained: “Our passengers’ and crew’s safety always comes first, which is why we have decided to change our procedures, in line with US regulations.”

Today, there are no European regulatory requirements stating that two crew members must be in the cockpit at all times.

The new procedures will be implemented as soon as Norwegian has received an approval from the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority.