Aviation regulator urges airlines to stress ‘often overlooked’ safety demos
Published on: Friday, January 19, 2024
By:
FMT, K Parkaran
The passengers and crew of Japan Airlines flight 516 were praised for their discipline during the evacuation of the aircraft after it caught fire on Jan 2, resulting in the safe escape of all 379 on board. (AP pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has issued an advisory to airlines emphasising the importance of cabin safety demonstrations following the collision between an airliner and a coast guard aircraft at Tokyo Haneda International Airport on Jan 2.
While the five crew of the coast guard aircraft were killed, all 379 passengers and crew of Japan Airlines (JAL) flight 516 evacuated quickly and with no fatalities, despite the aircraft becoming engulfed in flames.
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In the safety advisory, CAAM CEO Norazman Mahmud cited the incident and urged air operators to reinforce the significance of demonstrations and crew instructions to all passengers as this procedure was often overlooked.
“This advisory is issued to raise awareness and underscore the importance of cabin safety demonstrations and crew-focused instructions during air travel. Its objective is to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort by emphasising the significance of these safety protocols during unforeseen circumstances.
“Amid the excitement or routine of air travel, it’s easy to overlook the importance of these displays. However, these moments of focus can make a significant difference in a crisis,” he said in the directive sighted by FMT.
On Jan 2, JAL flight 516, an Airbus A350-900, struck a smaller coastguard aircraft as it was landing and became engulfed in flames as it hit the runway.
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According to reports, once the captain of the commercial jet managed to bring the burning aircraft to a stop, its 379 passengers, including eight children, plus 12 crew fled the plane’s smoke-filled cabin by sliding down inflatable slides deployed from the forward doors. The jet was entirely overcome by fire soon after that.
Aviators commented that the manner in which the crew had marshalled the passengers off the aircraft was almost beyond belief, to the point of being miraculous.
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Norazman said safety demonstrations were more than just meeting regulations, they were about being prepared as every second and action would count in the event of an emergency.
“The next time the cabin safety demonstration begins, let’s not just see it as a routine. Instead, view it as a commitment to be attentive, informed and ready to contribute to the safety and well-being of everyone onboard,” he added.
National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia president Ismail Nasaruddin Abdul Wahab said it was normally difficult to get the full attention of passengers during these safety demonstrations as they seemed to be preoccupied with other matters.
“Some passengers, especially those with families and children, tend to lose focus. There are those who pay less attention as they believe they are regular travellers,” he told FMT.
He said the Japan incident showed that safety procedures during aircraft emergencies required the discipline of both the flight crew and passengers, adding that not following protocol would lead to chaos which could cost lives.
“Some people have issues with listening to instructions from the cabin crew. They can become quite difficult at times, which makes it harder for the attendants to carry out their duties.”
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