EU can’t match Asia in terms of aviation safety?

Filed in archive Safety on January 28, 2010

© Deanster1983

If you are a European who is proud of the safety standards of your aviation industry then you need to read this.

Recently Jetstar Pacific, an Asian low cost airline having Qantas as its major shareholder had been making news for all the wrong reasons. Whistle blowers put to parade skeletons in the cupboard of the company by reporting low maintenance standards which was vehemently denied by the management but a Vietnamese Civil Aviation Authority carried out an investigation and reported several lapses in safety and standards due to a pitiable culture of safety maintenance being followed. This enquiry led to senior management and maintenance approvals being repealed and the company was asked to pull up its socks in a short span of time and meet the desired standards. Despite being under intense pressure the whistle blowers chose to follow the path of truth and had to finally pay for the act with their jobs but things were ultimately set right.

Similar situation like this tends to prevail in European airlines but despite reports of malpractice being submitted by AEI officials and whistleblowers to EASA nothing seems to have improved. There also seems to be no protection for whistleblowers. Some may not be aware of the fact that European Aviation Safety Agency or EASA seems to have no powers of enforcement whereas European Commission can be termed as ineffective and has not been able to set its priorities right due to political bickering among member states.

With tables turned, questions are being raised as to how EU can justify its list comprising name of blacklisted operators with very few European companies on it, as its enforcing authorities seem toothless with regards to implementation of rules and regulations. Why isn't the safety of the travelers being given paramount importance? Is anybody listening?