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Among the bigger steps taken this year
as part of this journey, we have signed
an MoU for Inmarsat Aviation’s GX
Aviation high-speed broadband which
is to be installed in more than 120 of our
aircraft, starting from 2018. This would
not only enable us to upgrade the inflight
entertainment provided to guests but also
to install internet of things (IoT) sensors
on our aircraft for real-time data on
their physical condition and, especially,
their engine performance. We are also
negotiating a deal for Airbus to roll out
its latest SkyWise aviation data system
to serve as our core platform. To support
and further build on the digital platforms
we are acquiring, we are investing in our
own highly specialised satellite digital
teams. The first team has already been
set up in Bengaluru, India’s equivalent of
Silicon Valley; and there are plans to set
up another in Bandung, Indonesia, another
hotbed of IT talent.
COMMITMENTTO SAFETY
Safety has always been, and will always
be our topmost priority. We recognise
the responsibility we undertake in flying
thousands of guests and Allstars every
day. This is a responsibility we do not
shoulder lightly, but one that has seen us
continuously enhance our processes and
procedures to ensure there are no gaps in
our safety mechanisms.
All our airlines across the Group have
adopted Safety Management Systems
(SMS) which serve as the framework
for robust safety structures. These
SMS encompass formal Safety Policies,
effective Safety Risk Management
processes, as well Safety Assurance and
Safety Promotion components. Our safety
policies and processes are not static, but
keep improving as we adopt best practices
within the global aviation industry.
As an example, we have embarked on
a Safety Digitisation effort through the
use of digital safety reporting, safety
observations and safety audits. All data
captured are analysed using a common
platform that enables us to have an
overview of our daily operational risks as
well as emerging hazards, which can be
mitigated accordingly.
During the year, our associate in Thailand
was the first LCC in the country to have
its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) re-
certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of
Thailand (CAAT) while the latter was in the
process of attempting to lift the red flag
that had been imposed on the country’s
aviation industry by the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO). Meanwhile,
in Malaysia, we have embarked on the
process of attaining the IATA Operational
Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, which
serves as an internationally recognised
benchmark of an airline’s safety standards.
We have completed the initial IOSA audit,
and expect to receive the certification in
2018.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability has always been integral
to our operations as our business model
requires us to be efficient in the use of
all our resources, to minimise waste
and maximise efficiencies. This model,
moreover, places our guest at the heart
of everything we do; in all our business
decisions, we are driven to stay true to
our core promise, to enable everyone
to fly. However, driven by stakeholder
expectations, and especially that of
regulators and investors, sustainability
has taken on a more organised meaning.
Rather than something we have always
done as ‘second nature’, therefore, we are
putting in place systems and processes to
build a sustainability framework that will
allow us to meet evolving expectations.
During the year, we have been working
on a sustainability governance
structure to ensure clear lines of
authority and responsibility in meeting
our environmental, economic and
social obligations to stakeholders. A
Sustainability Committee comprising
employees from different departments has
been put together which will report to the
Board. We also have a new team, Green
& Environmental Affairs, to overlook all
issues related to the environment, which
is one of our most pertinent sustainability
issues. Goals and targets will be set
so that we know what we are working
towards and are able to keep track of our
progress. We will be transparent about our
performance and disclose key results in
our annual Sustainability Reports.
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AirAsia Group Berhad
PERSPECTIVE
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