Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Manuals; Company Policy
I would like to express my concerns related to the recent change of removing the airport qualification for (SEQM) Quito; Ecuador. My concerns are based on my experience of several factors that affect (or potentially can affect) the successful and safe operation of this particular flight. The fact that no major safety issues or incidents have resulted is a tribute to the experience and skill of our flight crews currently operating these flights. Any argument trying to justify this to a lack or low threat environment (similar to regular domestic flying) is naïve and shortsighted at best; and fails to recognize the level of experience that helps to mitigate these threats. If such; is perhaps due to inadequate methodology used to quantify the associated risk without a more comprehensive and contextual approach.Similar to (SKBO) Bogota; Colombia but different from (MMMX) Mexico City; Mexico the initial approach starts above 18;000 (and not uncommon above FL 200). This is different from most; if not all; domestic approaches system wide; which represents some flaps and energy management challenges; depending on ATC and traffic.Alternate airports may and are usually affected by volcanic activity. Fuel and routing does not indicate realistic route clearances nor accounts for terrain conditions. Low visibility conditions culminate; at times; in go-arounds to these alternate airports with little or no room to spare.It is not uncommon for takeoffs from SEQM to be at or close to maximum performance. An engine failure under such conditions can prove more than a challenge; even to the most seasoned and locally experienced flight crew.The issue is not if our pilots can accurately fly an approach or a depicted engine failure procedure; but all the other elements that come to play with operating in this particular environment. It cannot be expected of a flight crew who has never been there to read some notes and fully understand all these elements and how they can interact to the detriment of the flight.
Air carrier Captain was concerned about the removal of special qualifications for operations into SEQM.