Virgin Atlantic has fired a female pilot after discovering that she was simultaneously employed by KM Malta Airlines.
First Officer Danica Theuma had reportedly been working for both airlines since at least December 2023. Virgin Atlantic, which only operates long-haul flights, requires pilots to have a specific number of days off between duties to prevent fatigue.
Theuma’s colleagues reported that she used her mandatory rest periods to travel to London and fly Virgin Atlantic planes out of Heathrow Airport.
This violates international safety regulations concerning pilot duty times and rest periods, crucial for ensuring crew and passenger safety.
However, it remains unclear how the pilot managed to hold a second job at KM Malta Airlines while meeting Virgin Atlantic’s scheduling requirements.
While Virgin Atlantic immediately fired Theuma upon discovering the double employment, KM Malta Airlines reportedly took a different approach.
The Maltese carrier might be desperate for pilots, as evidenced by the fact that the airline only suspended the woman for a short period before reinstating her, rather than terminating her employment.
