Improving Ramp Safety

April 28, 2014
Progress made, no doubt, but both sides still seem to question the other on what should be done to improve safety.

We’re in Kuala Lumpur for IATA’s 27th International Ground Handling Conference, joining an estimated 700 attendees for the show that also includes about 30 exhibits.

Most of yesterday’s discussions focused on airport/ramp safety issues.

John DeGiovanni, managing director of ground safety for United, for example, shared a few interesting factoids on the safety of transporting 3.5 billion people each aboard aircraft.

“That’s like moving everyone in the United States 10 times every years,” he said.  However, only 5 percent of the world’s population has ever flown.

That’s a huge potential for business, but the often batted around figure of $10 billion is aircraft damage each year would reach greater heights if nothing changes.

However, plenty of safety changes are being put in place around the world.

Mike Green, manager of airport safety for WestJet, discussed a regular campaign of meetings with ground handlers and airport officials to discuss safety matters and get buy-in for doing things the right way.

Green mentioned a relatively recent program called “SPOT” for Safely Performing on Time to highlight best ways the airline has identified to turn the plane.

One of the more interesting aspects of the morning was a poll taken via texting to take a quick gauge the attendees in the room.

While the vast majority indicated they did have an effective reporting culture within their organizations, subsequent questions did indicate antagonism between airlines and ground service providers.

For example, the vote was split down the middle for GSPs as to whether they felt confident in reporting issues/damages to the airline.

And another question for th  GSPs in the room, showed that they  do experience negative repercussions  for reporting issues/damages.

Finally, a majority of the airline operators in the room didn’t feel that their GSPs are providing unfettered information concerning such an important matter.