Safety First

Editorial – July 2024

Yannick MALINGE

SVP & Chief Aviation Safety Officer 

Dear Aviation Colleagues,

The demand for air travel is very strong, and we are likely to continue growing beyond the pre-pandemic levels achieved in 2019. This is positive for the industry, but we also must acknowledge the challenge of our air transport system to cope with the need to increase capacity. This is true for operators and manufacturers alike and requires extra vigilance to avoid increasing the risk of a fatal accident linked to this growth.

When the air transport system, its existing infrastructure and supply chain are stretched, more than ever, collaboration with all actors across the air transport system is key to ensure that our safety values are maintained. It is a continuous challenge to retain existing skills, attracting more people to work in aviation, and to train them. It can begin with a reminder of the basics, including lessons from past accidents or reported events, and ensuring the knowledge is passed on. This relies on openly sharing information and data, ensuring a shared spirit of speak-up, listen-up, and closing-the-loop.

How can we support? By sharing safety information and the materials that you can use to promote safety values, including our own lessons learned and best practices, which can be relevant for pilots, technicians, cabin crew, dispatchers, and every one who works in aviation. It is what we aim to provide through the Safety first articles, instructive videos, and infographics in an easy-to-access safety information portal at flightsafety.airbus.com.

Because it is all about learning from each other and we encourage all of our operators to join with us in the safety information sharing forums such as our annual Flight Safety Conference and Destination 10X collaborative regional events. It is this connection around shared safety values that maintains our safety culture, which is the most effective means to prevent increasing the risk of an aircraft accident.

I look forward to continuing to grow our aviation safety culture together, for safe work and safe journeys ahead.