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Germanwings crash: SAA to reassess its security protocols

Cape Town - Airlines have realised the immense risk of having only one pilot in the cockpit at certain times following the investigation into doomed Germanwings aircraft flight 4U 9525 that claimed the lives of 150 people, which shows that co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz (27) deliberately crashed his jet into the French Alps.

South African Airways has confirmed that the airline applies strict security protocols across all its flights and aircraft but that it would join other international airlines in reassessing these processes. 

"In light of this unfortunate incident, SAA has decided to reassess the protocols it has in place," said SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali.

"We will not hesitate to effect changes to these protocols should the reassessment identify areas of vulnerability. These protocols remain a critical ingredient for security, safety and peace of mind for our customers during their travel on our flights. 

"Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of our peers who have suffered a tragic loss."  

UPDATE: Lufthansa group adopts new two-person cockpit rule

On Thursday many airlines rushed to change their rules so as to require a second crew member in the cockpit at all times, hours after French prosecutors suggested that Lubitz barricaded himself alone at the controls of the jetliner had crashed it on purpose.

 The United States already requires two crew members to be in the cabin at all times, but many other countries do not, allowing pilots to leave the flight deck, for example to use the toilet, as long as one pilot is at the controls.

Airlines including Norwegian Air Shuttle, Britain's easyJet, Air Canada, Air New Zealand and Air Berlin all said within hours that they had introduced a requirement that two crew members be in the cockpit at all times.

Canada said it would immediately impose such a rule on all its airlines while those that already had such rules in place, including Ryanair, rushed to reassure customers.

Infographic: Germanwings crash causes cockpit safety shake-up

Among the companies that did not announce such a policy change was Germanwings parent Lufthansa, whose CEO Carsten Spohr said he believed it was unnecessary.

"I don't see any need to change our procedures here," Spohr told journalists. "It was a one-off case. But we will look at it with the various experts at Lufthansa and the authorities. We shouldn't lose ourselves in short-term measures."

Later on Thursday Spohr told German broadcaster ARD that Lufthansa would sit down with other German carriers and the country's aviation authority on Friday to discuss the matter.

"We will see whether there are measures that can be taken quickly to further improve safety," he said.

Germany's aviation association BDL said all airlines in the country, including Lufthansa, had agreed to discuss such rule changes.

(Additional reporting - AFP)

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