'Cost pressures pose safety threat' - CASA

In a survey carried out by CASA earlier this year, Australian air operators identified adverse economic conditions as the greatest current risk to aviation safety.

CASA says that holders of AOCs "believe factors such as cost increases for fuel and maintenance can pressure some organisations to reduce safety standards".

"A survey of 789 air operators has found nearly 30 per cent of respondents singled out economic conditions and profitability as a potential risk to safety.

"The next highest ranked risk to safety was identified as unsafe operators being allowed to continue operating. This was nominated by nearly 20 per cent of the air operators.

"Just over 15 per cent felt issues relating to operational personnel could put safety in jeopardy, while more than ten per cent nominated aircraft characteristics as a risk.

"Other issues identified as risks were aerodrome issues, airspace issues and a lack of understanding of safety management systems.

"Despite these concerns only two per cent of operators believe Australian aviation is not very safe. Fifty six per cent believe aviation is extremely or very safe."

Apparently the survey also determined that 42 per cent of respondents believed CASA was extremely or very helpful in identifying important safety issues air operators were previously unaware of, while only seven per cent felt CASA was not at all helpful.

CASA carries out a survey of air operators – excluding the largest 12 regular public transport operators – every year to gather vital operational and safety data.