Doha: Qatar Airways (QA)yesterday carried out its annual emergency exercise to test response functions that could impact its business during any serious incidents affecting the airline.
The exercise provided the airline with the opportunity to test its safety-first processes and procedures to manage and respond to a crisis.
“As the airline expands exponentially, it is paramount that our means of carrying out safety precautions and emergency readiness is constantly advanced and on the leading edge of safety practices across the globe,” said Akbar Al Baker, CEO.
“QA is forward-thinking in its approach to emergency readiness and has intricate systems in place for detection, communication and action during a time of distress,” Al Baker said.
The airline utilises a state-of-the-art facility at its headquarters where all aspects of emergency response were activated.
The Group Emergency Control Centre is equipped with satellite communication tools, platforms for communicating with aircraft in flight, and TV screens to display news channels from anywhere in the world, and a media operations centre where regular statements are issued.
The annual exercise aims to simulate a real-life serious incident that may affect the airline and a ‘scenario’ is designed whereby a majority of the Qatar Airways internal group is unaware until the day of the Exercise itself.
The exercise involved a Qatar Airways aircraft experiencing an emergency shortly after take-off from one of its worldwide destinations.
Nearly 200 staff members, including key senior executives and Al Baker took part in the exercise in Doha, which was managed by the airline’s Group Safety and Security, Contingency Planning team.
As part of the practice exercise, every department of the airline is involved.
A special Emergency Exercise Task Force was formed with representatives from several departments across the company.
The Peninsula
