The Airport Operators Association has today [Monday 8 May 2017] launched the second annual AOA UK Airports Safety Week, which is supported by the Civil Aviation Authority.
From today until Sunday 14 May, airports across the UK are promoting safety in all its aspects. This will be done through events for their staff, staff of companies operating in and around the airport and the public to demonstrate and promote airports’ approach to safety and safety culture.
The AOA UK Airports Safety Week 2017 is a great way to engage, inspire and educate the public and staff at airports about airports’ safety culture and philosophy. UK airports have an excellent safety culture, which depends on the successful collaboration of many different partners, and promoting it through events like the AOA UK Airports Safety Week. Whether landside or airside, the commitment of every player is essential to the delivery of the safest possible environment for all.
The AOA UK Airports Safety Week will show that airport safety is an integral part of the communities that airports serve, both by providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience to passengers as well as by providing important employment opportunities, including through apprenticeships.
Airports across the UK are running multiple events every day. Examples of these activities are:
- A charity runway run for airport staff to look for Foreign Object Debris (FOD – any object that should not be there) at London City Airport
- Baggage truck driving, push back and dispatching experiences for staff at Cardiff Airport
- Tram Safety Awareness with Edinburgh Trams on tram safety, signals and crossings at Edinburgh Airport
- Autism Awareness (in association with PEAT) at George Best Belfast City Airport
- Emergency first aid demonstrations at Belfast International Airport
- Aircraft refuelling demonstrations at Aberdeen International Airport
- First aid demonstrations by the Airport Fire Service at Southampton Airport
- “Safety at the Airport” poster competition for primary school pupils near London City Airport
- A public information stand on trafficking and FGM run by UK Border Force at Cardiff Airport
- Wildlife control information at George Best Belfast City Airport
- Risk assessment training for staff at Doncaster Sheffield Airport
- Airport experiences for local primary schools at Leeds Bradford Airport
- Activities to mark World Road Safety Week at London Gatwick Airport
- Winter operation demonstrations at Glasgow Airport
Chief Executive of the AOA, Karen Dee said:
“Safety affects everyone at airports, whether you’re a passenger or a staff member of an airline or ground handler, just like it would do in a town or city. That is why UK airports work hard to provide passengers with enjoyable and safe travel. If we get it right, much of our hard work will go unnoticed by passengers and staff alike.
“The AOA UK Airports Safety Week is an opportunity to bring all this behind-the-scenes work out into open, demonstrate to the public and airport users the different aspects of safety and safety culture at UK airports. It will be an opportunity to learn more about everyone’s role and contribution as well as a chance to say thanks to the many thousands of workers who make UK aviation and airports one of the safest in the world.
“I encourage everyone to get involved with their local airport to hear how they are marking this year’s AOA UK Airports Safety Week.”
AOA Operations and Safety Director, Roger Koukkoullis said:
“Airports live and breathe safety every day. Through working collaboratively with all stakeholders across the whole airport, UK safety standards are amongst the best in the world.
“AOA UK Airports Safety Week promotes learning both between airports and across different functions. One important aspect that will be brought out by the activities organised by airports is that continuous safe delivery of multiple activities is influenced by many individuals and teams at airports, in control towers, on board aircraft and in the offices.”
“With record passenger numbers passing through UK airports, the AOA UK Airports Safety Week is an opportunity to demonstrate how the sector is not only working for the safety of passengers and staff today but also developing for the future.”
