The fourth annual AOA UK Airports Safety Week was launched today [Monday 13 May 2019] by the Airport Operators Association (AOA).
Running until Sunday 19 May, the initiative sees airports across the UK holding multiple events for airport staff, staff of associated companies and the general public to demonstrate and promote airports’ approach to safety.
“Passengers, airport staff, airline crew, ground-handling employees and everyone else working in and around an airport are affected by aviation safety and have a role to play to ensure everyone’s safe,” said Karen Dee, AOA Chief Executive.
“Airports Safety Week 2019 is an opportunity to bring all this behind-the-scenes work out into the open, and show to airport users, the public and staff the different aspects of safety and safety culture at UK airports.”
Many airports are taking part in the scheme, including Edinburgh Airport, which is holding first aid demonstrations by the Airport Fire Service and ‘Passenger Day’ to teach passengers about security, counterfeit goods and first aid. Manchester Airport is partnering with mental health charity MIND to demonstrate how to improve mental and physical well-being, whilst also putting on baggage truck driving, push back and dispatching experiences for staff.
Further activities include dementia awareness at George Best Belfast City Airport, wildlife control information at Jersey Airport, airside driving workshops at Leeds Bradford Airport and fire-fighting demonstrations at Belfast International.
Operations and Safety Director for AOA, Tania Roca, noted that UK safety standards are amongst the best in the world and said: “We are particularly pleased this year to have a number of European airports visiting UK airports to see how we do things in the UK and share with us how they do it at their airports.
“With record passenger numbers travelling through UK airports, the AOA UK Airports Safety Week is an opportunity to demonstrate how the sector is not only working for the safety of passengers and staff today but also developing for the future.”
