GetJet Airlines – Base visits to strengthen safety culture and communications.

Safety Leadership Charter, Guiding Principle 5: “Create an atmosphere of trust, where employees are encouraged and confident to report safety-related information”. 

Background 

In the dynamic world of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) operations, the concept of a "base" takes on a unique meaning. For an operator like GetJet Airlines, which provides aircraft and crew to other airlines on a wet-lease basis, a base isn't just a fixed location near to the headquarters. Instead, it’s a strategic hub where operations are coordinated, and crew members are often rotated. It is usually a remote location where the administration and the crew do not come into contact. Given the inherently mobile nature of our operations, where crew members are frequently dispatched to various distant locations from around the world, base visits offer a valuable opportunity - to meet a large number of crew members at one place at the same time and to be able to approach them at once. 

This initiative was prompted by the need to enhance safety and implement open communication between Safety and other departments and crews. The issue regarding lack of open communication with safety department was mentioned in Safety Culture Survey.  

During these base visits, administration personnel can engage with our crew face-to-face, providing updates, reinforcing company culture, addressing any concerns, and ensuring that everyone is aligned with our operational goals. It’s a chance to strengthen relationships, share important information, and maintain the high standards of safety and service. 

Goals of base visits: 

• Ensure that all crew members are fully informed about the latest safety measures. 

• Improve communication and coordination between the crew and the safety department. 

• Ensure positive safety culture. 

• Highlight the importance of reporting in cabin and flight operations. 

Brief description of the initiative 

Main idea of base visits is to engage with operating personnel, hear them and share news from divisions.  

The initiative involves the representatives of different departments. During these visits, safety department engages directly with the crew to discuss safety-related issues, gather feedback on existing procedures, and identify potentially risks. These meetings are designed to be interactive, with a focus on real-life scenarios and practical application of safety. The visits also serve as an opportunity to assess the current safety situation and identify areas for improvement. 

Example:
During base visits a print of small survey cards were used where crews are asked to list top 3 safety risks in the base based on their understanding. In this way people would be more open and it is a very easy way to collect feedback. A specific question (see bottom of the card) can also be added to find out whether certain safety initiatives and changes are relevant and beneficial for crew members and the airlines. 

 
Figure 1 Base visit survey card example

What Positive Changes Base Visits Helped Bring 

These visits have led to a noticeable improvement in the crew’s understanding and adherence to safety.  

Main changes: 

• Feedback collected during visits leads to refined safety procedures, making them more practical and crew-friendly. 

• The initiative has fostered stronger relationships between the crew and the safety department, creating a more collaborative environment. 

• Increased number of reports. It means that crew members trust in safety department and understood that confidentiality is ensured. 

• Plan to implement regular follow-up visits and establish a feedback loop to continuously monitor and enhance safety practices. 

Main challenges and lessons-learned 

One of the main challenges was scheduling visits to fit the often-busy schedules of crew members. Additionally, the initial communication about the purpose of the visits needed to be clear, as any lack of clarity could lead to resistance or misunderstandings. 

Lesson Learned: 

• To ensure a positive safety culture, it is crucial to maintain open and transparent communication with crew members. This means fostering an environment where crew members feel comfortable sharing their concerns, suggestions, and feedback. 

Advice for Others: 

• Build Trust for Better Reporting. The increase in reports indicates that crew members trust the safety department more when confidentiality is assured, highlighting the importance of maintaining this trust. 

• Ongoing Improvement. Regular follow-up visits and continuous feedback loops are necessary to keep safety practices evolving and effective in response to new challenges and information. 

• Collaboration Enhances Safety.  Strengthening relationships between the crew, other personnel and the safety department fosters a more collaborative environment, which is key to improving safety culture.