Business & Money | Thursday 19 March, 2015 1:46 am |

Improving aviation safety critical to continued regional industry growth, concluded experts at the summit

The pivotal role of safety in driving forward the thriving regional aviation industry surfaced as a key conclusion at the 3rd World Aviation Safety Summit this week. Held under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Emirates Group, the Summit was hosted by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and organised by the Streamline Marketing Group.

Speaker after speaker at the summit emphasised the importance of the continuous improvement in aviation safety in ensuring that the Middle East aviation industry continues to grow at an accelerated pace and contribute significantly to the region’s economic prosperity.

“Aviation safety is not limited to territorial boundaries – it’s a global discussion,” said H.E. Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General at Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA). “By 2030, the industry will transport approximately 6.6 billion passengers. With such expansion, safety remains the top priority for air travel in not just the Middle East but around the world.”
“Over the next 20 years, Middle Eastern airlines will need 29,000 new, more efficient aircraft with a value of up to $640 billion to cater to the fast-paced growth in the regional aviation sector,” declared Jeff Johnson, President of Boeing Middle East.
Aviation specialists also explored the concept of aviation safety culture and the role of organisational leadership to implement such a culture.

“The biggest issue with safety culture today is that it doesn’t exist – there is no such thing,” said Stuart Hayman, Senior Vice President Safety, DNATA. “The danger is in trying to silo the concept of culture. It’s far more effective to look at organisational culture as a whole which determines safety performance and outcomes.”

Experts also emphasised the role of organisational leadership and employee involvement in not just planning but implementing safety behaviour across aviation companies.

“Safety is about engaging with people at the ground level,” Hayman continued. “Senior management must involve front-line staff and lead them down the path of safety improvement by demonstrating what safe behaviour actually looks like.”

Ahsan Farooq, Middle East Area Operations Manager, Chevron Al Khalij, agreed.

“We must empower employees with the authority to stop work if they suspect that a particular organisational procedure is not safe. Immediate investigations can prevent organisations from a situation where a major hazard is just a single error away.”

Leading aviation safety specialists from around the world gathered at the 3rd annual World Aviation Safety Summit in Dubai to debate the key strategies and challenges required to improve aircraft safety in the global industry.

The summit was held on 16-17 March 2015 in Dubai, attracting more than 300 regional and international stakeholders from regulatory authorities, airline operators, airport operators, aircraft manufactures, pilot associations, safety organisations and air traffic control service providers to explore a range of aviation safety topics at panel discussions, strategy sessions and group discussions. Experts also shared regional case studies on how the challenges of integrating and implementing new and existing safety procedures can be overcome.

ENDS
For more information, please contact:

Aiman Kirmani
Four Communications
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Editor’s Note:
About the World Aviation Safety Summit
The World Aviation Safety Summit will be held on the 16 and 17 March 2015 in Dubai, UAE. Hosted by the Government of Dubai and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the Summit will bring together local and international stakeholders from regulatory authorities, airline operators, airport operators, aircraft manufactures, pilot associations, safety organisations and air traffic control service providers to discuss key strategies and challenges in improving aviation safety.

www.aviationsafety.ae

About the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
Dubai Civil Aviation Authority was established as an autonomous body by the decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, by proclamation of Law No. (21) of 2007, to undertake development of air transport industry in the Emirate of Dubai and to oversee all aviation related activities.

Law No. (21) of 2007 was amended by Law No. (19) of 2010.

www.dcaa.gov.ae

About Streamline Marketing Group
Founded in 1997 by professionals who saw an opportunity to combine their diverse backgrounds and skills to deliver events with impact and focus on customer service, Streamline initially focused on niche, government-related project exhibitions, and quickly established itself as an innovative, entrepreneurial and proactive new player in the region. Having launched and managed a wide variety of unique B2B events across a broad range of industries since then, we fully recognise and understand the need for B2B events in the Middle East to go beyond the traditional exhibition and conference format and are known for our value-added services such as matchmaking programmes and marketing consultancy that strengthen and enhance our business offering for strategic partners, exhibitors, visitors and delegates.
www.smg-online.com