Safety recognition awards for helicopters

Media Release
3 April 2009

Safety recognition awards for helicopters announced

A major safety incentive for helicopter operators has been announced today by the New Zealand Helicopter Association with its sponsorship of nationwide safety performance awards.

The awards are based on avoiding serious accident and injury and are open to all members of the association.

Association acting chair Peter Garden of Southwest Helicopters said the initiative is intended to lift the safety performance of the whole industry for commercial and private operators alike.

“It’s about setting some real and meaningful performance targets and ensuring operators and customers alike get a real appreciation of the safety performance of the industry.

“We have set fairly high targets – five years accident free qualifies you for the basic recognition award, 10 years the silver award and 15 years gold. We want to provide transparent and meaningful information about the best of the best,” Mr Garden said.

Membership of the Helicopter Association is open to all New Zealand operators. Once the awards are made, users of helicopter services can see how companies rate by accessing the Aviation Industry Association’s website www.aia.org.nz.

AIA chief executive officer Irene King said that long-term the rating concept would be extended across all aviation operations.

“Our focus is on getting the rate of accidents down. Accidents have increased in the past 12 to18 months and this is simply not acceptable. We need to know that our industry, including those who work in the industry, are safe all day every day,” Ms King said.

ENDS

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