The aviation and judicial sectors examine Just Culture as a driver for improving air transport safety

The aviation and judicial sectors examine Just Culture as a driver for improving air transport safety

Representatives from the judicial sphere and the aviation sector are meeting today and tomorrow in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for the 9th Safety and Just Culture Conference to examine the new provisions of the Air Safety Act relating to Just Culture, and to share experiences and perspectives on the handling of information and the protection of air transport professionals involved in aviation occurrences, in an effort to contribute to the continuous improvement of safety.

The event is taking place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 27 and 28 November

Nearly one hundred professionals will analyse the importance of safety culture for the development of the aviation industry and of Just Culture as a key element in strengthening the safety of air operations, in a conference that has become a yearly forum to reflect on Just Culture and promote it beyond the aviation sector.

A Just Culture is one in which aviation professionals are encouraged to report potential risks identified during operations, including admitting their own mistakes, without fear of negative consequences for their job or professional qualifications. However, Just Culture does not tolerate infringements or intentional acts intended to cause harm to people or equipment. Bringing this concept closer to the judicial sphere is one of the aims of the conference, so that judges and prosecutors can become familiar with the principles used in the aviation sector to enhance air safety.

The opening session featured contributions from José Luis Meler, ENAIRE's Director of Air Navigation Services; Javier Delgado, ENAIRE's Canary Islands Regional Director; Carlos San José, Dean of COPAC; and Antonio Alonso, President of APROCTA.

[Participation of the Director of Air Navigation Services of ENAIRE, José Luis Meler, in the Conference].

The conference will examine the Air Safety Act from a judicial perspective, with contributions from legal experts, and from the regulator's standpoint, through the Civil Aviation General Directorate.

Real cases relating to the application and protection of Just Culture by ENAIRE, COPAC and APROCTA will also be analysed. Insights from frontline professionals will help assess the degree of implementation and continue to encourage the reporting of any safety-related issue identified during daily operations, ensuring proper oversight and avoiding any deviation from Just Culture principles.

The international perspective on the evolution of Just Culture will be provided by representatives from European organisations such as Eurocontrol and IFATCA. In addition, an air accident that occurred at Tokyo Airport in January 2024 will be examined.

The organisers greatly value the convergence of views and opinions generated at this forum as a way of promoting Just Culture beyond the aviation sector, emphasising its importance as a means of improving air safety and identifying weaknesses or improper practices that need to be addressed to strengthen the reporting culture with a view to enhancing operational safety and the service provided to air transport users.

[Speakers and organizing committee of the Conference at the ENAIRE Control Center in the Canary Islands].

About ENAIRE

ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain.

As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest.

ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).

ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator for five years in a row. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.

About APROCTA

The Professional Association of Air Traffic Controllers (APROCTA) is the organisation that represents Spanish air traffic controllers. Founded in 2008, it brings together more than 1,300 active professionals and has a mission to promote technical excellence, operational safety and the defence of the profession.

About COPAC

The Official Association of Commercial Aviation Pilots (COPAC) is a public-law, nationwide corporation created in 1998 that represents the professional interests of Spanish commercial pilots.

The main objectives of COPAC are to ensure the safety and legality of flight operations in order to guarantee the fundamental rights of citizens as air transport users. It is also responsible for monitoring and studying professional activity and incidents and for ensuring quality training for pilots, and it provides a communication channel between pilots, society and the government.

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