Manic Monday | Safety First Must Always Be the Priority

It has been a very difficult week for the tourism industry worldwide as we have collectively mourned the loss of the passengers on the Air Ethiopia Flight and are once again reminded of the lives lost in the Lion Air flight just 5 months ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families who have lost friends, relatives and colleagues in what can only be described as an unimaginable situation.

As collective minds work to resolve and solve the situation we applaud our Airlines and Government officials who have taken the necessary action to protect passengers and crew.  In Canada alone there are 40 planes on the ground at one of the busiest times of the year and Airlines are working to reroute and reassign flights, an almost insurmountable task given the magnitude of the situation.

But thankfully safety is a priority and this past week on CBC  I learned that in  2017 there were over four and a half billion passengers on nearly 45 million commercial flights, making aviation unquestionably safest forms of public transportation. Experts have long known that the most dangerous part of airline travel is the drive too and from the airport.

Moving forward there will be answers and there will be changes and while it does not, in any way, diminish the loss of life that has occurred, we will be the safer going forward.

If you find yourself travelling during this chaotic period, it is worth remembering that airline staff be it on the ground or in the air are working with you to get you on your way quickly and safely.  A word of support for those trying to get you where you are going can make everyone's experience better.

Safety first must always be our priority.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO