sa airlink media bulletin # 5 issued 9 december 2009 11h30
Airlink – Media Bulletin #5 issued 09 December 2009 11.30
AIRLINK RESPONSE TO MINISTER OF TRANSPORT STATEMENT
Following updates earlier bulletins:
JOHANNESBURG – Airlink acknowledges notes the statement issued by the Minister of Transport yesterday evening and welcomes his concern for safety at Airlink and across South Africa’s air transport industry.
“I would like to apologize to Airlink customers, staff and all South Africans for the anxiety that we have caused. The safety and well-being of our passengers, crews and aircraft is – and always has been – our top priority. Until recently we had 17 years of operations with an unblemished safety record. We will do whatever it takes to restore our reputation as a safe airline and rebuild public faith and confidence in the company,” assured Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.
“We support the diligent oversight approach of the SA Civil Aviation Authority and we are cooperating fully with its officials in their investigations into the recent accidents and with their intensive audit of the various safety-related aspects of the airline. To date, we have not received any feedback from the SACAA that we are not compliant with local and international regulations or procedural best practice. But this process must be allowed to run its course and we will move immediately to address any non-conformance which may be identified in the audit report,” he explained.
“As an additional measure, yesterday I appointed Capt Scully Levin to conduct a wide-ranging and comprehensive review of Airlink’s flight operational processes and procedures. Capt Levin recently retired from SAA where he served as Chief Training Captain. He is acknowledged internationally as an expert in airline safety. I have given Capt Levin a broad mandate and tasked him to identify any gaps so that we can close them,” he added.
Airlink operates a modern fleet and has invested heavily in the best modern training and maintenance systems. It was one of the first African airlines to voluntarily submit to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) process. This internationally (including South Africa) accepted and widely endorsed process involves comprehensive external audits every two years to measure compliance with a set of demanding international benchmarks. Airlink has passed these audits and is IOSA accredited.
Yesterday afternoon the damaged Embraer 135 jet was moved to a safe location. It had aquaplaned off the runway at George Airport on Monday morning. With the exception of the First Officer’s sprained ankle, none of the other 30 passengers or crew were hurt.
Issued for Airlink
Media contact:
Karin Murray
Tel: 011 451 7300