Budget airline gives summer bonuses to pilots who work when they're tired, whistleblower claims

Dispatches reported that a European budget airline is giving out summer bonuses to pilots who are tired.

Wizz Air, Europe's third-biggest budget carrier, is suffering from a staff shortage and is encouraging crew members to work longer hours, according to a pilot who blew the whistle on the airline. The program will air on Monday.

The anonymous whistle blower told Dispatches that there was pressure for them to help out by flying.

The summer bonus scheme encourages pilots to work more hours. If you are tired, you will lose money.

Insider asked Wizz Air about the summer bonus program. Wizz Air said that it had afatigue-management system that was in line with legal requirements.

Wizz Air will never compromise on safety regardless of the challenges we are facing.

The maximum flying time for a commercial pilot is 100 hours, according to theCAA.

Wizz Air CEO Jzsef Vradi suggested in June that employees should work harder when they're tired.

Vradi said that sometimes it was necessary to take the extra mile.

According to a letter seen by The Financial Times, the union wrote to European safety regulators about its concerns about Wizz Air's corporate culture.

Insider was told by the safety regulators that it was looking into the allegations about Wizz Air encouraging fatigued staff to work.

At a time when airlines are struggling to juggle various issues in the industry, including a shortage of workers, increased travel demand post-pandemic, and rising fuel prices.

A clip of angry passengers crawling through a conveyor belt to find their luggage was shown on the Dispatches program.