Captain Carlos Limon, Deputy President, IFALPA,

Captain Mok Hin Choon, President, ALPA-S,

Ladies and Gentlemen

I would like to thank the ALPA-S for inviting me to join you this morning at the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association (IFALPA) Safety Seminar. To the participants who have come from all over the world, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you.

The State of the Aviation Industry

2        Let me begin with some comments on the current state of the aviation industry.  We are seeing a solid recovery in the underlying growth of international passenger traffic over the past year.  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has projected that “ending the year with double-digit passenger growth is possible given the industry's performance for the first seven months of 2004”.  International passenger and cargo traffic growth has continued to exceed expectations in recent months although the extraordinarily high level of oil prices as well as the increase in security costs to counter terrorism present further challenges for the aviation industry.

3        At Singapore Changi Airport, we are experiencing buoyant growth in passenger and cargo traffic.  From January to August this year, passenger traffic to Singapore rose by a commendable 31 per cent over the same period last year, surpassing the pre-SARS levels.  Cargo traffic, which was relatively unaffected by SARS, expanded by almost 12 per cent over the same period.  All in all, I am optimistic that Changi’s passenger and cargo traffic will reach new heights this year.

4        A new trend has also swept across Asia – the emergence of low cost carriers (LCCs).  LCCs have forced many traditional, full-service airlines to reconsider their game plans so as to compete effectively.  Indeed given the advantage of lower costs that LCCs capitalize on and amidst fierce competition for the passenger dollar, it is imperative that full-service carriers continually innovate and find ways to keep costs down while improving their service.

Safe Air Travel

5        However, let me stress that even as airlines strive to reduce cost to stay competitive, this must never be at the expense of flight safety.  Safety is our industry's number one priority.  Flight safety is paramount for everyone in this industry – from aviation authorities and regulators, to operators, crew, and passengers.  To this end, I am happy to note that in 2003, the world witnessed the lowest aviation accident rate ever in the last eleven years.  This achievement is despite the growing number of flights over the last decade.

6        But we must not be complacent.  We have to continue to strive for a downward trend in aircraft accidents through international efforts to improve aviation safety.  

Promoting Aviation Safety

7        It is therefore timely that members of IFALPA, highly regarded by the aviation community for its technical expertise and its dedication to promoting aviation safety, are here today to exchange views on air safety issues.  I note that IFALPA will cover some important areas on aviation safety today, including the role of the IFALPA Accident Analysis Committee, the safety strategies adopted by Airbus and Boeing respectively and case studies on accident investigation.  This comprehensive coverage of aviation safety issues will update conference participants on the current issues on aviation safety.  More importantly, it demonstrates IFALPA’s commitment towards aviation safety.

8        Individual states must regard aviation safety as a top priority and remain committed to playing their part to enhance aviation safety.  Singapore is committed to this effort.  Prior to the introduction of ultra long range flights, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has set up a Ultra Long Range task force to examine the feasibility of such flights.  These flight sectors will involve long flight duty periods for the pilots which in turn will have a bearing on flight safety.  Together with SIA and the Airline Pilot's Association – Singapore, the task force worked with international agencies such as Joint Aviation Authorities of Europe and the European Committee for Aircrew Scheduling and Safety and developed provisional rules and recommendations which guided the operation of SIA’s long range flights from Singapore to Los Angeles and New York, respectively.  

9        The task force is now validating the provisional rules with scientific studies on the actual ultra long range flights operated by SIA.  CAAS will present data from the studies as soon as they become available and we can expect a set of finalised rules for ultra long range operations to be out next year.

10      The government of Singapore is also putting together mechanisms which would promote aviation safety in Singapore.  I am pleased to announce that the Air Accident Investigation Bureau of Singapore (AAIB) will establish the Singapore Confidential Aviation Incident Reporting (SINCAIR) Programme on 1 October 2004.  The principal aim of SINCAIR is to enhance aviation safety through the collection of feedback on incidents that would otherwise not be reported through other channels or which may appear minor.  We can draw safety lessons from the reported incidents, including non-serious ones, and share such information amongst the aviation community in Singapore. Such feedback allows organisations participating in the programme to learn from these experiences and improve their own procedures and design.  In doing so, the occurrence of accidents can be reduced even further.  

11      SINCAIR provides a channel for the reporting of aviation incidents and safety deficiencies while protecting the individual’s identity.  The procedures used have taken into account the practices of a number of established and similar systems overseas and are international best practices.  SINCAIR is a proactive safety programme that targets all users and operatives of Singapore’s aviation system and will adopt a rigorous confidentiality arrangement.

12      Besides incident reporting, investigation into accidents and incidents is also an important means of gathering safety information for the prevention of future accidents and incidents.  Recently, ICAO conducted a special audit of Singapore’s compliance with ICAO's standards and recommended practices concerning investigation into accidents and incidents.  The purpose of the audit is to ensure that Singapore adopt best practices where such investigation is concerned.  The audit was successfully held and I am pleased to note that the ICAO experts are satisfied with the investigation arrangements put in place in Singapore.

Conclusion

13      And finally, I am heartened to learn that efforts, both internationally and locally, to improve aviation safety, have continued relentlessly.  The benefits derived from a safe air transportation system are immense especially when the world today has become a truly global village.  I would therefore like to urge all states, aircraft manufacturers, operators and all other aviation stakeholders to continue to refine safety procedures and systems so as to enhance aviation safety.  Singapore looks forward to working with IFALPA on aviation safety issues.  On this note, I wish everyone a fruitful meeting and that you will enjoy your stay here in Singapore.