EasyJet 2011 Annual Report Download - page 34

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easyJet plc
Annual report
and accounts 2011
At easyJet we view ourselves as a responsible
European airline. We want to achieve our ambition of
becoming Europe’s preferred short-haul airline and in
order to do so we are always looking at safer, more
sustainable and innovative ways of running things, but
place just as much importance on nurturing the
well-being and happiness of our people. As we
continue along the path of Turning Europe Orange
there is no substitute to having a responsible approach.
We know that that our success is inextricably linked to
the well-being of our customers, our people and the
communities in which we operate and work.
Our foremost responsibility is towards the safety of all
of our people, from our customers through to our hard
working staff both on the ground and onboard our
aircraft. This is core to the business and something we
communicate on at all times to all our partners and
stakeholders, be they European governments,
regulators, or other stakeholders central to our business
operations and commercial success.
But it is the strength of our people which above all
others marks us apart. Their passion, expertise and
commitment is at the heart of what we do. Over the
past year we have continued to build up connection
with our people. We’re evolving and changing the way
we communicate to them all across our European
operations. In turn, our long-term performance and
sustainability are dependent upon their understanding,
goodwill and active support so that they continue to
improve the experience for our customer.
We believe in the positive contribution flying brings to
Europe, particularly during these difficult economic
times, and is central to many Europeans’ businesses
and way of life. At easyJet we are rightly pursuing our
ambitious path towards minimising our environmental
footprint both in the air and on the ground. This is
central to the ongoing success and sustainable
development of the business. Operating across an
increasingly environmentally conscious Europe, we can
justly lay claim to having one of the youngest and most
fuel-efficient fleets around. We are proud of this, and
proud of our role in helping shape a greener future for
European aviation.
There is little doubt that by continuing to act in a
responsible manner this will help us to achieve our
ambition of becoming Europe’s preferred short haul
airline by making travel easy and affordable and
generating market leading returns.
Safety first and foremost
The safety of our customers and staff is easyJet’s
number one priority; it remains a core part of our DNA.
From all across the business, the boardroom to the
flight deck and the check-in desk to the maintenance
bay, safety informs everything we do and is the starting
point for every decision, at all times.
The evolution of our open and just culture continues
with easyJet being at the forefront of promoting open
reporting of all safety-related incidents, no matter how
minor they may appear at first glance. At easyJet, we
aim to maintain processes and structures to monitor
and manage safety related risk throughout the
business.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Carolyn McCall, and
Director of Group Operations, Warwick Brady, are
responsible for all aspects of safety delivery, including
our compliance obligations under the Air Operator’s
Certificate (AOC). The Accountable Safety Executive is
Carolyn McCall and she chairs our Safety Review Board
which meets monthly to assess reports from the Safety
Action Groups across the business. This review and
assessment process delivers monthly reports to both
the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) and the
easyJet Board. In addition to our internal safety and
compliance oversight regime, our Director of Safety
and Security, Captain David Prior delivers an
independent safety report to the Board each month
which underlines how serious this issue is for our Board.
Safety is taken very seriously by the Board right down
to regular day-to-day communication. The Board even
has direct phone line through to our Director of Safety.
Any reported safety-related incidents are assessed and
categorised, with risk values assigned and aggregated
to form our Composite Risk Value (CRV) index. During
the year, the index showed a steady improvement,
continuing a long-term trend reducing risk to well within
the assigned boundary level.
Corporate responsibility