27th Mar 2015 13:24
London (Alliance News) - British authorities asked airlines to review flight procedures on Friday but defended their system of pilot health checks amid concern that some airlines conduct only cursory mental health assessments.
The review came as German investigators said the co-pilot of the Germanwings flight, Andreas Lubitz, who had been treated for mental health issues, appeared to have had hidden a recent illness from his employer.
Britain's Civil Aviation Authority said it was coordinating its response with the European Aviation Safety Agency and has "contacted all UK operators to require them to review all relevant procedures" following Wednesday's Germanwings crash.
"All UK airline pilots undergo extensive and regular medical assessments to determine their fitness to hold a licence," the CAA said.
"As part of this, aeromedical examiners are required to assess a commercial pilot's mental health at each medical examination which, for an airline pilot flying with at least one other pilot, is undertaken annually.
"These detailed medical assessments are in line with international aviation standards," it said.
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