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TRANSPORT MINISTER LAUDS AIR JAMAICA’S SAFETY RECORD

Minister Robert Pickersgill addressing the gathering at the Air Jamaica Safety Week observance.

Transport Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill has lauded staff members of Air Jamaica, who through their dedication and attention to detail, have made it one of the safest airlines in the world.

He made these comments while addressing the airline’s observance of their ‘safety week’ activities at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday, September 5, 2006. The Minister noted that Air Jamaica had the enviable record of being one of a small minority of airlines with a fatal event rate of 0.00. “In fact, it is only one of four national airlines in the Latin American and Caribbean Region with that perfect safety record,” he said. Airsafe.com lists Air Jamaica among 34 crash free airlines in the world since 1980, a performance that is outstanding for a small airline that is operating in a developing country, the Minister asserted.

In outlining the government’s involvement with Air Jamaica, Minister Pickersgill said that they (the government) had over the 36 years of the airline’s existence provided the enabling environment that had allowed it to operate at world class standards in the area of safety. He highlighted the fact that the government was committed to the airline and that it was this commitment that underscored the importance placed on the vital tourism industry and an understanding of the critical link between a viable and reliable aviation industry.

The Minister also pointed to the link between Air Jamaica and The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA). He cited the fact that the Authority have had to meet the new Systems Approach to Safety Oversight stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He noted that Jamaica, like other states must incorporate into national legislation over 10,000 safety related Standards and Recommended Practices contained in 16 of the 18 Annexes to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Minister Pickersgill congratulated the staff of Air Jamaica, particularly those from the Safety Department who were responsible for safety, compliance, quality, emergency response and occupational safety and health.

Also speaking at the Safety Week opening were, President of Air Jamaica, Mr. Michael Conway; Director General of the JCAA, Col. Torrance Lewis; Chairman of Air Jamaica, Mr. O.K Melhado and Mr. Luther Brewster who gave the Vote of thanks.