Aer Lingus Pilot’s Demotion Sparks Controversy Over Safety Reporting

An Aer Lingus pilot, Declan McCabe, has expressed deep concern over his recent demotion, stating it was “humiliating” to return to the cockpit as a first officer after being stripped of his command responsibilities. This decision followed his failure to immediately file an air safety report regarding an incident he deemed a “non-event.” McCabe, who has been with the airline since 1999, claims that the demotion was linked to a long-standing dispute that began in July 2011, when he reported being too fatigued to fly.

The airline has denied the statutory complaints made by McCabe under various acts, including the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. According to the tribunal, McCabe was disciplined for not reporting an incident that occurred on June 8, 2023, when the Airbus A321neo he was operating from Munich initially failed to pick up a radio navigation beacon upon approaching Dublin Airport.

During the tribunal, it was revealed that Aer Lingus lost trust in McCabe’s ability to fulfill his safety reporting duties. He was informed of his demotion on New Year’s Day 2024, a decision that was upheld on appeal. McCabe described the process leading to his demotion as “predetermined,” asserting, “Not only was this an attack on my career, my stature, this was a direct attack on my wife, my family, my reputation.”

McCabe’s representation, David Byrnes of Setanta Solicitors, highlighted the history between McCabe and another senior pilot, Captain Colm Wynne. The conflict intensified after Wynne decided in 2011 that McCabe should be demoted for reporting fatigue. Byrnes stated, “Capt Wynne was the man who came for my client, and continued to come for him.” The tension between the two was evident, with McCabe admitting that there was “no love lost” between them.

When asked about the experience of returning as a first officer, McCabe characterized it as “humiliating,” emphasizing that the purpose of the demotion was to undermine his professional standing. He contended that the decision to file an air safety report is ultimately a judgment call for the pilot in command, especially under the circumstances he faced.

The incident in question involved a flight with 156 passengers and crew. McCabe successfully landed the aircraft after adjusting its heading and locking onto the navigation beacon signal. He described the situation as a “non-event from a flying point of view.” The airline later alleged that the flight crew had mistakenly entered settings for the wrong runway beacon.

Aer Lingus’s barrister, Tom Mallon, asserted that McCabe “still doesn’t seem to accept the errors of his ways.” The airline maintained that McCabe’s actions warranted disciplinary action, classifying his failure to file a safety report as a “reckless violation,” a characterization McCabe found “bizarre.”

As the tribunal hearings continue, with the next session set to feature cross-examination from Mallon, the outcome remains uncertain. The case highlights ongoing tensions within Aer Lingus regarding safety reporting protocols and the ramifications for pilots who raise concerns.