Collaborations key to improving air safety standards

By Isaac OGANGA

Fly 748 has called for more closer collaboration to enhance safety standards as airlines across the industry begins a return to recovery path.

Fly 748 Managing Director, Moses Mwangi said there is still a huge opportunity for local airlines to partner in including oversight in areas of reporting and investigations and safety data information sharing.

“We need to adopt a more aggressive approach to manage recurrent operational risks, learn from each other while incorporating international best practices, if we are to uphold and rise even higher in bolstering our safety standards,” said Mwangi.

Mwangi spoke ahead of a three-day conference on air safety in Mombasa.

The 33rd International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA), regional meeting brought together over 200 air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals from across Africa and the Middle East.

Kenya Air Traffic Control Association President, Joshua Ngere has reaffirmed commitment on air safety to manage a growing number of travelers taking it to the sky.

“We need to re-strategize on air traffic control as it increases post COVID. we have working papers that will help us deal with the growing numbers,” said Ngere.

Ngere called on all stakeholders to maintain high standards of training and strict adherence to rules and regulations as well as standards set either by the industry at international or at operator level.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Emile Nguza said the only way to work together to bolster the industry is through collaborations from the operator’s, regulator’s and service provider’s side.

“Each one of us should learn to exchange difference experiences that we encounter so we may give certain level of exposure to stakeholders who may not necessarily realise that a particular challenge in the field is an urgent concern,” said Nguza.

Fly 748 was among airlines, air operators, equipment suppliers, aviation training schools that showcased their products and service offering at the conference.

“This is a forum that exposes aviation professionals to critical aeronautical information, their link to aviation safety and track commitments made by operators,” said Mwangi.