'Trigger Points'

Air Safety Week, August 23, 2004

Interview with Guenther Matschnigg, senior vice president - Safety, Operations & Infrastructure, IATA

ASW: How did this audit program get started?

Matschnigg: I started it about three years ago.

ASW: What did you have in mind?

Matschnigg: The original intent was twofold. One, to reduce the multiplicity of audits, the findings of which cannot be

compared to one another. Two, to improve the level of safety worldwide, especially for the medium and small carriers. These were the two trigger points.

ASW: What's the benefit to a carrier?

Matschnigg: It's a thorough audit, and it can identify gaps in practices and procedures. Plugging those gaps reduces the potential for an accident. In addition, once a carrier is audited, it is listed on the IATA registry of carriers, a benefit to code-share partners.

ASW: How much time is involved?

Matschnigg: It can take 2-6 months for a carrier to prepare. The audit itself can take a week.

ASW: What costs are involved?

Matschnigg: The cost to a carrier is in the range of $50,000 to $80,000. That's to prepare, for the auditors to come in, inspect and to write their report. We offer the manuals free of charge to IATA members and to non-member airlines.

ASW: Are the results posted publicly?

Matschnigg: No. The audit reports are confidential. They can be provided to regulatory authorities, contingent on the airline's permission. We want a transparent program, with governments on board.

ASW: What's the major point of this program?

Matschnigg: To improve safety markedly. Each audit has the potential to save lives.

[Copyright 2004 PBI Media, LLC. All rights reserved.]