Australian airlines will be required to have two crew in the cockpit of their planes at all times after the Germanwings tragedy that killed 150 passengers and crew . Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the rules will apply to any regular aircraft carrying 50 passengers or more and will 'take effect immediately ' . French prosecutors allege Andreas Lubitz , the co-pilot of downed flight 4U9525 , plunged his plane into an Alpine ravine on March 24 after locking his captain out of the cockpit . Qantas has announced that it is discussions with regulators over it 's cockpit policies . ''Today 's decision is a sensible , measured response that combines safeguarding the travelling public with the practical capabilities of the aviation sector , ' Mr Truss said in a statement . A spokesman for Qantas , the nation 's biggest airline , said the new arrangement would apply to Qantas , QantasLink , Network Aviation and Jetstar flights . 'When one pilot needs to leave the cockpit for any reason , another authorised person will occupy the jump seat , ' the spokesman said . The spokesman said the airline has 'numerous layers of screening and support for pilots ' . That includes medical checks , stress management training , confidential counselling and psychometric testing during recruitment . In the UK , a few airlines have announced the new move will come into force tomorrow and aviation insiders say there are moves to make it 'mandatory ' across all airlines . Qantas have said that they are still considering whether or not their policies need to be tightened . In a statement released to Daily Mail Australia last week , Virgin Australia said their pilots also undergo medical exams . The airline said they are constantly in contact with regulatory bodies and have comprehensive measures in place on all flights to ensure the safety of guests and crew . However they said that those details were to remain confidential for security purposes . 'The Virgin Australia Group continuously undertakes detailed risk reviews , including consultation with the relevant regulatory and industry bodies . Any updates regarding changes to our processes will be provided where appropriate , ' a Virgin spokesperson said . 'All Virgin Australia Group Pilots undertake regular aeromedical exams , which include mental health assessments . ' Airlines and aviation regulators around the world last week began taking steps to ensure there are always two people in the cockpit . Tragedy : It emerged today that Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz ( pictured ) locked the plane 's pilot out of the cockpit and 'deliberately ' crashed the plane into the French Alps , killing 150 people on board . Lubitz was sitting in this cockpit , pictured , when he commanded the jet to crash into the Alps at 400mph . In the UK , EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic announced plans to change their aviation policy on staff numbers in the cockpit . Monarch and Thomas Cook also confirmed they had changed their policies , while Ryanair , Jet2 and Flybe said they already required two crew members to be in the cockpit at all times . Elsewhere around Europe , the continent 's third-largest budget carrier , Norwegian Air Shuttle , said it would require two people in the cockpit at all times for safety reasons . A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said : 'Following the details that have emerged regarding the tragic Germanwings incident , we are co-ordinating closely with colleagues at the European Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA ) and have contacted all UK operators to require them to review all relevant procedures . Horror : After voice recordings emerged from the doomed A320 revealing how the pilot tried to kick down the cockpit door , EasyJet said a cabin crew member will enter the cockpit if the pilot or co-pilot needs the toilet . 'All UK airline pilots undergo extensive and regular medical assessments to determine their fitness to hold a licence . As part of this , aeromedical examiners are required to assess a commercial pilot 's mental health at each medical examination which , for an airline pilot flying with at least one other pilot , is undertaken annually . 'These detailed medical assessments are in line with international aviation standards . 'We will continue to monitor the situation as the investigation develops and our thoughts remain with the friends and relatives of all those affected by this tragic incident . ' Doomed : The captain of the ill-fated flight - named by local media as German father-of-two Patrick Sonderheimer - left the cockpit but found himself locked out when he tried to re-enter ( file photo ) 'Deliberate ' : Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said Lubitz used the flight managing system to put the plane into a descent , something that can only be done manually . Heart-broken : Family of the victims of the crash gathered near the scene in Le Vernet near the French Alps today , as rescuers tried to recover the dead bodies of their deceased relatives . Rescue : Helicopters lowered investigators down to the scene of the obliterated plane where debris and human remains were scattered . Raid : German police have investigated Andreas Lubitz 's €500,000 family home in Montabaur in Germany as well as his apartment in Dusseldorf . Killer 's home : A French prosecutor in Marseille said Mr Lubitz 's breathing was normal as the plane descended rapidly before crashing into the French Alps .
Australian aircraft will be required to have two crew in the cockpit at all times . Deputy aviation Minister bill gates ##head announced the rules on Monday Friday . The measures will apply to all aircraft which carry more than 50 passengers . Last day a Germanwings pilot crashed his plane into an Alipine ravine , killing 150 people .