Aviation Accident Communication Strategy Workshop

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The Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) held a weeklong workshop entitled “The national Strategy for media communication after aviation accidents”.  The workshop was set up to train and develop aviation’s executives in dealing with the media after aviation accidents with the participation of fifty leading domestic airlines, airports and various sectors at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
For his part, Mr. Basem Alsallom, assistant to GACA President for Corporate Communications and Marketing stressed the importance of establishing and organizing workshops specializing in media communication to contribute in enhancing communication training aspects and early preparation for any future incidents, God forbid.
On the other hand, Mr. Abdulellah Felimban Director General of AIB office explained that the workshop aims to develop and activate a national strategy post any aviation accidents and to achieve the highest international standards in the aviation system in the Kingdom, also to enable participants in dealing with the media in a professional manner post any aviation accidents.  And to be able to provide them with accurate information derived from the source.  Information that is most likely to be at the disposal of AIB chief, or the airport director where the accidents occurred.
He added that “the workshop included the creation of a practical training to deal with the print media and TV by recording a simulated TV and press interviews with the participants to enable them to deal in a professional and effective manners.  The exercise is conducted by creating a make-believe scenarios of aviation accidents, and then question are asked to address these pseudo situation”.  He noted that this workshop is the Secord of its kind in dealing with media post any aviation accidents and that AIB will hold a number of related courses in the near future.
 
The workshop was conducted by Mrs. Linda Tavlin, an expert in aviation accident communication, where several make-believe scenarios were presented, she then went on to explain the best ways in dealing with the media, whether the new digital media, or the traditional one.  She emphasized the importance of giving the facts and not delaying the issuance of press releases to avoid rumors from being circulated.  She pointed out that AIB office is the main entity to go to when accidents happen and not the regulator (The General Authority of Civil Aviation).
Mrs. Tavlin went on to say that the benefits of these workshop is to familiarize the people working in the aviation industry on accidents investigations mechanism and what is their role on this process.  She pointed out that aviation personnel’s mission is to focus on dealing with the aviation crisis and emphasized that the aviation industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is safe, even if accidents would to occur God forbids.
She went on to say that aviation industry staff shouldn’t have any fears when dealing with the media, instead they have to be proactive and deal with it with ease, where aviation is a whole and complete process that have checks and balances from international organizations to ensures the safety of the flying public. 
It’s worth mentioning the GACA put a lot of emphasis on the subject of passenger security and safety, and is active in achieving a safe environment according to precise safety standards.  This through applying rules, regulations and procedures to ensure the safety and security of air transport.