In coordination with the German Federal Aviation Office, Germany’s major airlines and the national aviation industry association, the Lufthansa Group is introducing a new cockpit-occupancy procedure as a precautionary safety measure.
Under the revised rule, two authorized persons must be present in the cockpit at all times during flight. The Lufthansa Group’s passenger airlines will implement this procedure as promptly as possible, following consultation with their respective national aviation authorities to ensure regulatory compliance and consistent application.
Beyond the existing safety pilots employed by each member airline, the Group has created the position of Group Safety Pilot to oversee these measures at a corporate level. Captain Werner Maas will serve as Group Safety Pilot while continuing his duties as Safety Pilot for Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
In his expanded role, Captain Maas will have group-wide responsibility for reviewing and enhancing all flight-safety-related procedures. This centralized oversight is intended to harmonize best practices across the Group, strengthen cockpit safety standards and ensure effective monitoring and continuous improvement of operational procedures.
The new cockpit-occupancy requirement complements existing safety protocols and crew resource management practices. It is intended to reduce the risk of cockpit isolation and to provide a clear, standardized approach across the Group’s airlines. Implementation will include coordination of training, documentation and operational guidance so that crew members and ground staff understand the practical application of the rule in routine and exceptional circumstances.
Airlines will communicate specific timelines and any related operational adjustments to passengers and staff as they finalize implementation plans with their national authorities. Safety remains the top priority, and these steps reflect the Group’s commitment to proactive measures that align with regulatory guidance and industry standards.
By combining local safety pilots with centralized oversight from the Group Safety Pilot, the Lufthansa Group aims to ensure consistent evaluation and refinement of safety procedures, foster information sharing among member airlines, and maintain transparent governance of flight-safety initiatives across its network.