Michael O’Leary, you are a member of the EASA’s Management Board Subgroup, which aims at sharing the visions from key representatives of the aviation industry on the future European Regulatory system. Ryanair also participates in a dedicated high level group for Airlines issues set up by EASA, where operators are invited to provide direct feedback on rule making processes....What do you think about these initiatives? How have you contributed?
Ryanair welcomes these EASA initiatives. Airlines possess the required expertise and operational experience to develop effective regulations and means of compliance, therefore active airline engagement at all stages of consultation and rule making is vital.
We are deeply conscious of our duty to participate in shaping the future of European air safety and so Ryanair will continue to actively participate at EASA high level and rulemaking groups to provide the benefit of our extensive operational experience and to ensure that focus is maintained on key safety priorities.
What is the importance of Safety in the overall strategy of Ryanair?
We continually strive to improve our industry leading safety standards and to adhere to or exceed industry best practice. Our overriding objective is to focus on safety and always strive to operate and improve our ‘how do we do this safely’ philosophy.
We are in the process of implementing a 3 year Corporate Safety Strategy (2013 to 2016) which has been approved by our Board of Directors. This Strategy builds on our considerable, multi-billion investment in safety to date, which has delivered an outstanding 30 year safety record which our team of over 9,500 aviation professionals are immensely proud of. Highlights of our uncompromising commitment to safety include:
• The youngest, most modern (300 all jet aircraft) fleet in Europe.
• A groundbreaking operational flight data monitoring system.
• In-house Flight and Cabin simulator training centres at East Midlands and Stansted.
• In-flight Training Centre at Frankfurt Hahn.
• The industry’s first full size Boeing NG maintenance training aircraft based at Stansted.
• Industry leading rosters independently endorsed by NASA scientist & NTSB Member Dr Mark Rosekind.
• 24 hour online access to Ryanair’s Safety Office, training and reporting systems.
• Independent safety audits and reporting channels from front line to Board level.
Our independent Board Director of Safety provides quarterly reports on our safety performance to the Ryanair Board of Directors who are committed to maintaining our safety leadership position.
You once said that the regulators are show stoppers when it comes to innovation, in your opinion, what should they change to better support you?
The effective management of safety is dynamic and we must remain committed to continuous review and improvement.
The current EASA rule making process is slow and is open to abuse by individuals/organisations whose primary objective is, regrettably, advancing their narrow social agenda, rather than promoting safety.
We must all work together to ensure that Europe’s regulatory system can, and does, take account of developing technology, systems and innovation whilst at the time keeping safety as our industry’s No.1 priority.
Michael O’Leary is Irish National and has served as Ryanair CEO since 1993.
