RwandAir, the national carrier of Rwanda, has become the latest African signatory to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Safety Leadership Charter.
The Charter is aimed at strengthening organizational safety culture, which is an area of focus in IATA’s Collaborative Aviation Safety Improvement Program (CASIP), under Focus Africa.
RwandAir Safety Management
Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, emphasized the carrier’s commitment to safety, saying: “ At RwandAir, safety is not just a priority but a fundamental principle guiding our operations.”
“Our organizational culture is deeply rooted in robust safety practices, making it the cornerstone of our operational integrity.”
Makolo explained that by signing the IATA Safety Leadership Charter, RwandAir not only reaffirms its steadfast dedication to a culture of safety but also acknowledges the need for continual improvement in this crucial area.
[monsterinsights_popular_posts_inline]
IATA’s Perspective
Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, highlights the significance of enhancing aviation safety in Africa, not only as a critical priority but also as an integral component of the continent’s overall development agenda.
“Fostering a robust safety culture is paramount,” he furthered. Alawadhi commended RwandAir’s leadership for its proactive commitment to safety by joining the IATA Safety Leadership Charter.
He emphasized that this decision underscores RwandAir’s dedication to nurturing a strong safety culture while actively pursuing enhancements that benefit not only the airline but the wider industry as well.
About the Safety Leadership Charter
The IATA Safety Leadership Charter, developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, serves as a framework to assist aviation executives in fostering and sustaining a positive safety culture within their organizations. Its guiding principles include:
- Leading by Example: Executives must demonstrate a commitment to safety through both their words and actions.
- Safety Awareness: It’s crucial to cultivate safety consciousness among employees, leadership teams, and the board.
- Open Communication: Creating an environment of trust where all employees feel empowered to report safety-related information without fear of retribution.
- Integration of Safety: Safety considerations should be seamlessly integrated into business strategies, processes, and performance metrics.
- Continuous Improvement: Regular assessments and efforts to enhance organizational safety culture are essential for sustained progress.
Signatories and Impact
With over 40 airlines already on board, RwandAir becomes the second carrier in Africa to sign the Safety Leadership Charter, following in the footsteps of Ethiopian Airlines.
This collective commitment underscores the industry-wide recognition of the paramount importance of aviation safety and the shared responsibility to uphold the highest standards across all operations.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
