A Virgin Atlantic pilot was fired on the spot after airline bosses discovered she was working for another airline on her days off.
First Officer Danica Theuma flew for Virgin, which operates a strict long-haul route network.
Unbeknownst to the company, she also piloted planes for KM Malta Airlines, which flies to 17 destinations in Europe.
The maximum flying time for a commercial pilot is 100 hours of flying time per month, or 900 hours per calendar year, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
While global standards are similar, the restrictions in place in Europe and Britain are among the strictest in the world to ensure pilots do not experience significant fatigue with mandatory rest periods to ensure they can concentrate properly.
First officer Danica Theuma, a pilot for Virgin Atlantic’s pilot, has been fired on the spot after airline bosses discovered she was working for another airline on her days off and making extra money
Theuma was a training pilot on a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 aircraft, pictured (file photo)
But Theuma, in a major breach of aviation safety and professionalism, appeared to jeopardize the safety of its passengers on both airlines. Instead, she opted to fly extra flights on days when each airline thought she would have rested and on a day off.
Theuma was immediately fired by Virgin Atlantic after they only learned of her dual employment by chance.
Meanwhile, Malta’s new state-funded airline, KM Malta Airlines, initially suspended her but has since reinstated her in the cockpit, allowing her to continue flying for the airline.
An experienced pilot told it The shift Every pilot at KM Malta Airlines has learned of the incident with great dismay that the national carrier decided to keep her on the books.
Incredibly, Theuma managed to combine her schedule with both airlines, meaning she would have to make a long three-and-a-half hour journey from Malta back to London Heathrow before embarking on another overseas trip with Virgin.
Thanks to Virgin’s long-haul route network, average flight times are around 10 hours.
It is believed Theuma had been doing double duty with both airlines since December 2023 until she was caught in May.
Theuma, left, used the time to travel to London Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic planes from Heathrow Airport instead of taking her mandatory rest periods
First Officer Theuma still works for KM Malta Airlines, where she flies Airbus A320 aircraft, pictured (file photo)
Fatigue has been proven to be a factor contributing to a large number of aviation accidents and incidents over the past year, but its impact on aviation safety is often underestimated.
According to a Time magazine Research shows that going 18 hours without sleep can have the same impact on the human body as heavy drinking.
A recent report from the European Cockpit Association also noted how adequate sleep and rest are essential for the body to recharge.
“Sleep deprivation can cause confusion, disorientation and hallucinations, which are not welcome in a cockpit or in a flight safety program,” the ECA wrote.
‘As sleep deprivation increases, the chance of errors increases and safety is compromised. A tired person often cannot diagnose a problem and decide how to fix it.”
Theuma violated international safety regulations that impose strict legal restrictions on duty and rest times to ensure the safety of passengers and crew
Danica Theuma receives her theory certificate for an aviation pilot’s license at the Malta Aviation Museum in December 2017
Virgin Atlantic told DailyMail.com that Theuma had trained with the airline, but their contract was terminated during their training period.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority. While we cannot share all the details of the cases, we can confirm that the individual’s contract was terminated during the training period because he or she did not meet the high standards we demand.
‘During their training period, we did not know that the person was working elsewhere.’
No comment has been made by KM Malta Airlines or the pilots’ union ALPA, despite being fully aware of this Theuma’s behavior.
