Emergency Response Planning: there's no 'i' in 'team'

摘要

The aviation industry is developing and growing at a record pace throughout the world. At the International Airport Jorge Chavez in Lima, Peru, where I work as an airline representative, we have experienced growth of over 100% in international and domestic passengers since 2010. Today's airline passengers expect a seamless experience from check-in to baggage reclaim at their destination. They arrive at the check-in counter, with very high customer service expectations. The airline will usually do everything possible to comply with these, recognising that it is usually going the 'extra mile' that differentiates one airline from another. But I often ask myself if passengers are aware of the various aspects that ensure they will arrive safely at their destination. One of these aspects is aviation emergency planning. Are the airlines and airports prepared? How will they respond? It is a simple truth that most crises hit us suddenly and unexpectedly. It is also true that the response to the disaster will depend on the country (or airport) it occurs in.