Improvement in safety parameters responsible for Accident Free aviation year in Africa -Olowo
.. Stresses need for airlines to submit to audit of other country’s CAA
The president of Sabre Network West Africa & Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, Elder Gbenga Olowo has attributed the zero accident recorded in the aviation industry in Africa in 2016 to improvement in safety parameters.
Speaking during the aviation day at the ongoing 13th Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos on Monday September 11, on the topic 2016 Africa Aviation Accident: Case Study of Nigeria, Olowo listed other parameters that ensured 2016 accident free year for the airlines to include: IATA Operational Safety Audit, IOSA & IATA Standard Safety Assessment with IATA being an airline association
He noted that IOSA has made its members to be principally responsible for Safety and not necessarily the regulator.
Olowo stressed the need for airlines in Africa to also subject themselves to the audit of other country’s civil aviation authority.
Olowo explained that the airlines subjecting themselves to the audit of another country’s regulatory agency is good so as to be double sure of their safety standard and ratings.
“That the Airline members in the strive for Safety also do go extra mile to subject itself to audit by other jurisdiction outside its own registration, like the European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA certification in addition to that of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.
“intensified human capital development through routine and schedule trainings for all, Pilots in particular since pilot error do account for about 80percent of all aviation accidents. Implementation of safety management system (SMS). More budget is now set aside for maintenance and dedicated account for maintenance reserve as accident is planned through neglect / poor maintenance. Operators are successfully moving to newer and younger fleets with lower operational and maintenance cost, fund availability at low costs through financial institutions,” he added.
The president of Sabre Network West Africa & Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative listed others to include more Economic Lease/Purchase Conditions from aircraft suppliers, and continued advocacy for improved Aviation infrastructure.
In the area of regulation: He observed that there has been acceleration of ICAO Safety related standard and recommended practices, autonomous CAAs with less and less government interference resulting to more efficient regulation.
Olowo stated that based on results of accident investigations in the last 10 years, 80 percent of such accidents were as a result of pilot error while weather or maintenance accounted for the remaining 20 percent.
He emphasised that aviation so far has remained the safest means of transportation.
Olowo said figures from Nigerian Bureau of Statistics showed that 53.8 percent of road accidents in Nigeria involves commercial vehicles.
He urged African governments to focus more in others areas as statistics from road accident and maternal mortality has remained far higher that air accidents.
The president of Sabre Network West Africa quoted the International Air Transport Association, IATA’s director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac of saying that: “Last year some 3.8 billion travellers flew safely on 40.4 million flights. The number of total accidents, fatal accidents and fatalities all declined versus the five-year average, showing that aviation continues to become safer.
The goal is for every flight to depart and arrive without incident. And every accident redoubles our efforts to achieve that.”
Olowo concluded his lecture that the necessary and sufficient condition for safety rests permanently with a responsible operator, stressing that a responsible Regulator will not settle for less
Maida expressed excitement at Nigeria’s success at World Radio Communications Conference 2023
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