Due to the global economic downturn, airlines around the world lost US$17 billion (CNY115 billion) in 2008, expect losses of US$11 billion (CNY75 billion) in 2009, and have projected losses of around US$4 billion (CNY31 billion) for 2010 (IATA, 2009). These large economic losses have the potential to strain all areas of airline operation, including training and safety.A survey conducted by Ascend in March this year examined the global aviation safety concerns of 200 aviation professionals from over 40 countries (Ascend, 2009). Interestingly, despite being in the height of panic at the global economic meltdown, the survey found that the greatest threat to airline safety was not "airline financial health" (ranked third), but was "airline management experience, attitude, culture." As for the greatest drivers to improving airline safety, "management accountability for safety" was ranked third (behind "access to safety equipment" and "new technology"). Thus, respondents consistently placed responsibility for safety with "management" and the "safety culture" they foster, and perceived this to be a greater influence (threat) than even the global economic downturn.
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