Airline safety management system issues: a practitioner’s perspective

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to introduce the reader to some problems faced by safety practitioners operating within an airline safety department, particularly risk assessment subjectivity, and processing of flight data monitoring events. In doing so, it attempts to propose solutions to these issues. Design/methodology/approach Quality management tools, including six sigma, in combination with flight data monitoring, are proposed as a solution to the issues identified. Findings The proposed solutions reduce the subjectivity of some risk assessments and help airlines to efficiently process flight data monitoring events. Research limitations/implications This paper presents a two-part case study of how these issues have been dealt with by an airline. However, as demonstrated by the literature review, there seems to exist further advanced methods, some of them still in a developmental stage, to deal more effectively with the problems discussed. Originality/value This study is particularly directed and more valuable to small-scale airlines. These are more susceptible to the lack of resources needed to implement advanced approaches into the safety management system, but still want to adopt a systematic way of conducting business. Furthermore, it highlights common issues faced by safety practitioners in airlines and should hopefully stimulate the discussion around the topic and promote other academics/practitioners to share viable solutions.