In Comment (Flight International, 14-20 January), you say that in a worldwide industry there needs to be a global safety culture. However, in the same Comment you don't highlight the effect of the "cultural" factors in building such a culture.
Because it is a sensitive subject, institutions have shied away from addressing this issue, afraid of accusations of political incorrectness.
It is one thing to join the British Airways Safety Information System or to fit an aircraft with the latest technologies; it is another thing to benefit from them. These systems should be used as a means to an end, not as a showcase or an alibi in case of accidents. The latest technology in an aircraft in itself will not prevent an accident from happening - for example, the Gulf Air Airbus A320 (Flight International, 23-29 January 2001). Establishing a safety culture at the individual operator level and a common global safety culture will be more effective.
The "cultural" factors that have so far hindered efforts to establish a global safety culture should be addressed. As you correctly say in Comment, leadership is needed. The International Air Transport Association, as an international organisation, could provide the umbrella to tackle the subject impartially.
Capt Wisam El Majed
Amman, Jordan
Source: Flight International
