October 20, 2008, Alexandria, VA — The Flight Safety Foundation today expressed its disappointment that the management at American Airlines and the Allied Pilots Association union have allowed the airline’s trailblazing Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) to end during the latest rounds of contract negotiations.
“For years, American Airlines and its employess have been leaders in the field of aviation safety with its ASAP program,” noted FSF President and CEO William R. Voss. “Airlines around the world modeled their own internal reporting programs after ASAP.” The Flight Safety Foundation has publicly supported this program and others like it as an important tool to prevent accidents. “We are alarmed that either side would allow this incredibly important safety program to fall victim to distrust between labor and management. We strongly urge both sides to return to the bargaining table and get this program back online.”
“The entire industry is facing difficult times and disputes are inevitable, but no one should ever allow safety to become a bargaining chip,” Voss said.
In past years, the Foundation has published a number of articles outlining the importance of these reporting programs in AeroSafety World July 2007 issue and in news releases defending the confidentiality of these programs. The Foundation was one of the earliest supporters of the ASAP programs.
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Flight Safety Foundation is an independent, non-profit, international organization engaged in research, auditing, education, advocacy and publishing to improve aviation safety. The Foundation’s mission is to pursue the continuous improvement of global aviation safety and the prevention of accidents. www.flightsafetstg.wpenginepowered.com
Contact: Emily McGee, Director of Communications, 1-703-739-6700, ext. 126; mcgee@webdeva.flightsafety.org
