PILOTS, especially those in Australia, have begun to call for more education on the use of seat belts in planes.
This is in light of the Qantas Airways incident on Tuesday.
The president of the Australian and International Pilots' Association, Captain Ian Woods, said that the injuries which occurred when flight QF72 plunged a few hundred metres over Western Australia would not have occurred if all passengers had been wearing seat belts at the time, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responding to media queries yesterday, confirmed that several Singaporeans were injured.
A spokesman said that the majority of the injured Singaporeans were given outpatient treatment.
Qantas pilots and crew encouraged passengers to fasten their seat belts at all times, but there was no regulation that required them to do so.
"I dare say that not enough passengers fasten their seat belts when they're in aeroplanes," Captain Woods told the Herald Sun. "It shouldn't be interpreted as an option."
Some passengers of the ill- fated flight agreed.
One of those who were wearing seat belts during the incident was Ms Andrea Hutchins, 39, who told the Herald Sun: "The people who were wearing seat belts, like myself, were okay.
"The people who were standing were the ones who got hurt the most. To be honest, I think it's a lesson in wearing seat belts."
For Singapore carriers, the wearing of seat belts is compulsory only during specific times.
However, the airlines strongly encourage passengers to wear seat belts during the whole duration of a flight.
