Indonesia rules on fasting for civil aviation workers

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation ruled that all safety-sensitive aviation personnel must eat while on duty during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting that begins Aug. 11. The ruling affects air traffic controllers, flight attendants, pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, airport maintenance personnel, airport ramp personnel, baggage and freight load dispatch controllers and security personnel.

In a memo announcing the change to previous years' rules, DGCA said doctors had presented medical information and evidence detailing the effects of fasting on the human body. Fasting lowers blood sugar levels resulting in weakness, tremors, dizziness, lethargy, disturbed thinking, changed behavior, potential unconsciousness, dehydration and fatigue, it said. DGCA added that studies have shown an increased rate of car accidents during Ramadan in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK that it believes is at least partially attributable to fatigue caused by fasting.