Leading international air transport associations have introduced a new, tailored approach to safety audits. This innovative framework is designed to enhance the effectiveness of safety audits by focusing specifically on the safety risks pertinent to each airline, rather than adhering to a generic “one-size-fits-all” strategy. These new safety audits mark a significant evolution in the way airline operational safety is audited, promising to benefit the industry at large, including insurers.

What are these safety audits?

They  aim to deliver an audit scope that is specifically tailored to each airline. This approach not only focuses on the unique operational profile, safety events, and audit history of an airline but also introduces a maturity assessment of the airline’s safety-critical systems and programs. The essence of these safety audits are to prioritize safety risks while ensuring a baseline of safety is maintained across the board. By doing so, it seeks to increase the overall effectiveness of the safety audit, contributing to the industry’s overarching goal of reducing the accident rate.

What’s New?

The shift represents a significant departure from traditional audit methods. Previously, audits were conducted with a uniform set of checks applicable to all, regardless of an operator’s specific risk factors or history. The new method, however, scopes audits based on a combination of industry standards and operator-specific elements such as operational profile and safety events. This allows for a more focused and in-depth examination of areas identified as high priority, such as runway excursions, while potentially auditing less critical areas with less frequency. Furthermore, the introduction of a maturity assessment offers a more structured evaluation of an airline’s relevant safety systems, going beyond mere conformity to delve into the effectiveness and maturity of these systems.

How to Prepare for your next Safety Audits

For airlines, preparation for Safety Audits involves several key steps:

Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Airlines should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify and prioritize their specific safety risks.
System and Program Review: A review of safety-critical systems and programs is essential to ensure they meet not only the baseline conformity requirements but also exhibit maturity and effectiveness in managing identified risks.
Documentation and Evidence: Adequate preparation of documentation and evidence to demonstrate conformity with safety standards and recommended practices, as well as the effectiveness of safety systems, is crucial.
Training and Awareness: Ensuring that staff are well-trained and aware of the new approach, including understanding the focus on maturity assessments and tailored audit scopes.

By focusing on these areas, airlines can better align themselves with the objectives of these Safety Audits, ultimately leading to improved operational safety and efficiency. The transition to this new auditing framework reflects the commitment of the air transport industry to adapting to the dynamic needs of aviation, aiming for continuous improvement in airline safety standards.

If you are interested in learning more about Safety Audits or need assistance preparing for your next audit, feel free to reach out to us at AvioDirect. Our team of experts is well-equipped to guide you through the nuances of the new audit approach, ensuring that your airline is fully prepared to meet the tailored requirements. For further information or to seek our assistance, contact us at [email protected]