Pilots are prohibited from drinking any alcohol in the 12 hours before performing their duties, Young said.
If they break the rule, their assignment will be cancelled immediately, and, in the worst cases, they may also lose their jobs. While in the air, the pilot crew's performance is also recorded by a system that monitors any improper operations conduct during the flight, he said.
China Airlines' efforts have started to pay off.
In June this year, the carrier won the "Best Overall Airlines" and "Best Cargo Airlines" categories in the 2003 Skyliners Awards made by Manchester Airport. With no accident being reported since a crash on May 25, 2002, the airline received a rebate from its insurance company, which also lowered the company's premium for next year by 30 percent.
In terms of business, the carrier raised its pre-tax income forecast for the year to NT$4.05 billion, a 29 percent increase from the previous estimate of NT$3.15 billion. With more routes to be launched next year, China Airlines is looking forward to seeing its revenue grow by 5 percent in the passenger division, and registering double-digit growth in cargo next year.
"We don't know how long it will take to restore people's confidence in us, but we will keep improving flight safety. We can't afford to let the tiniest mistake destroy our hard-won achievements," Young said.
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