Four Takeoffs and Landings a Day: "Grueling Flights Make Security Checks Hard to Focus On"

Union Urges Improvement of '4-Leg' Schedules
One-Person Picket Protest Planned for This Month

The Air Busan Cabin Crew Labor Union has called for improvements, arguing that grueling work schedules such as the "four-leg schedule," which requires four takeoffs and landings in a single day, pose a threat to aviation safety.

Air Busan

According to the union on November 5, it is common for cabin crew members at domestic low-cost carriers (LCCs), including Air Busan, to fly short-haul routes four times a day. Short-haul flights refer to routes with a flight time of around one hour, such as Seoul-Jeju, Busan-Jeju, and Fukuoka-Osaka.

The problem is that, in addition to providing in-flight service, crew members are also responsible for cabin cleaning, security checks, and safety briefings. Such intense schedules can therefore threaten aviation safety. Crew member A stated, "When working more than 11 hours consecutively on four-leg rotations, there are moments when even the security checklist becomes hard to focus on. Safety is more important than service, but it feels as if aviation safety is being left solely to the mental endurance of the crew."

The working environment is also reported to be poor, with crew members often skipping meals during long shifts. Crew member B said, "During an 11-hour shift, there is no guaranteed time for a proper meal. Most of the time, we eat while standing in less than five minutes, and if a flight is delayed, we sometimes go the entire day without eating at all."

Kang Minjung, head of the Air Busan Cabin Crew Labor Union, said, "LCCs are choosing to cut costs, especially labor costs, to maintain competitive ticket prices. We have continuously requested an end to these harsh schedules, but management remains reluctant to make changes, citing labor costs and schedule efficiency." She added, "The union will continue to demand improvements to work schedules, and we plan to hold a one-person picket protest in front of Air Busan headquarters later this month."