Hainan Airlines has climbed two notches to reach third place in a global airline safety rating list, the best-ever ranking for a Chinese-mainland-based company, according to a report released earlier this month by Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre, a German airline safety data evaluation institute.

The JACDEC report reviewed the performance of more than 60 leading airlines in 2016. Of them, two Chinese companies made it into the top three, demonstrating Chinese civil aviation airlines' increasing international influence and commitment.

In addition to Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, which has long been recognized for its high-quality service, ranked No 1 in this year's assessment for its cumulative expertise. Taiwan-based EVA Air achieved sixth place, falling slightly compared to last year.

Founded in 1989, JACDEC is a prestigious global research institute focusing on all data and information related to accidents and aviation safety. The center releases its annual Airline Safety Ranking, an index widely acknowledged by the industry.

The safety index is based on airlines' annual revenue, passenger kilometers, International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit membership, and the transparency of its controlling aircraft accident investigation authority. Depending on the age of the airline, the data can reach up to 30 years into the past.

23 years incident free

Hainan Airlines made the list's top 10 for a fifth consecutive year. Established in 1993, the airline has been expanding rapidly, now operating 180 aircraft and 700 international and domestic air routes that connect with more than 100 cities.

The airline has logged 5 million hours of safe flights and has operated for 23 years without incident. The Civil Aviation Administration of China, the domestic industry's watchdog, has also honored the airline with its Five-Star Flight Safety Award.

In the late 1990s, the International Civil Aviation Organization recommended that all aviation authorities implement its Safety Management System as a regulatory structure.

In 2005, Hainan Airlines was the first Chinese operator to introduce the system. Later, it developed its own system based on four core concepts - safety policy, risk management, safety guarantee and improvement - which contributed to the company's comprehensive and integrated safety structure.

In 2011, Hainan Airlines passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit evaluation, the benchmark for global safety management, as each of its practices conformed to the organization's standard.

The airline developed an intellectual property system in 2012, integrating risk management with technology, including factors affecting the safety of each flight such as weather, pilot capabilities, the crew and airport conditions.

Through safety structure improvements, continuous innovation and investments, Hainan Airlines has developed an integrated safety management mechanism that guarantees flight and operational safety.

The airline has put safety at the core of its corporate culture, according to the company. Its safety culture can be summarized as responsibility, impartiality, communication, learning, integrity, kindness and discipline, its statement said.

As Spring Festival approaches, Chinese airlines are all busy preparing for the travel rush. Hainan Airlines is also planning customized services to deal with the high volume of passengers, potentially adverse weather conditions and passengers' homesickness.

"Safety is the most important factor for the aviation industry," said Wei Changrong, safety director of Hainan Airlines. "Hainan Airlines' top priority is to make sure that each passenger gets home safely in this peak period."

mazhiping@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/21/2017 page10)