I have always found that travel both broadens the mind and dispels the preconceived perceptions that you have somehow developed of the world. Having just returned from Shanghai to initiate the establishment of a local sales resource in the region, I was struck by the vibrancy of a modern spectacular city far removed from the China of the past. A city of 20 million enthusiastic, happy and helpful people driven to enjoy what they have, but appreciative of their history, while continuing to savour time to reflect in the quieter parts of the city.
What is also abundantly clear is that the Chinese aviation sector is one of the fastest growing in the world with plans underway to double the number of airports within the next ten years. Being home to 1.3bn people, China has recorded double digit growth over the last decade and is becoming increasingly industrialised and commercial - meaning more, cars, trains and of course, planes.
In addition, China’s aviation safety record has improved dramatically since the 90s and is rated at 1 (ICAO compliant) by the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment Program (IASA) whilst they have received very positive results from ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
The challenge for the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) is no different from the rest of the world, maintaining safety levels within the environment of accelerated levels of growth. For example, competition for qualified pilots has intensified and managing the competencies and licencing of hundreds of new recruits will be require a huge amount of oversight.
It’s within this environment that Gael are working with TechPubs and Sagem in the region to leverage the benefits we have seen in working with over 300 aviation organisations worldwide, and try to provide a local sales resource to enable us to support the growth in the region. Based in Shanghai, the sales resource will be focussed on understanding the customer’s need and ultimately helping to craft and provide solutions that will contribute to safer skies in the region.
Due to the groundbreaking initiatives that Gael have collaborated with, such as Dubai-based regulator the GCAA - who have used technology to streamline the bureaucracy and administration associated with the auditing of their regulated aviation organisations - it is hopeful similar benefit could be provided to CAAC. This means that highly experienced staff can concentrate on managing and improving safety levels instead of getting bogged down in paperwork.
China has come a long way in recent times, and from my personal experience, I see no reason why they won’t very soon be leading the world in safety initiatives, rather than simply following.
Find out how Gael can help regulators manage safety in our free webinar: "4 tools that will streamline safety oversight".