FlyDubai crash has not deterred public from using budget carriers

While passengers said affordability was still the big draw for budget airlines, experts affirmed low cost carriers would not compromise on safety to be cost effective.

Experts say budget airlines compete because of their business models, not by cutting back on safety. Galen Clarke / The National

DUBAI // The FlyDubai crash in southern Russia has not deterred travellers from booking trips with budget carriers.

While passengers said affordability was still the big draw for budget airlines, experts said low-cost carriers would not compromise on safety.

At Dubai International Airport, Azad Haya, a Bangladesh construction supervisor who was flying with his wife to Chittagong on FlyDubai, admitted the accident had made them nervous.

“The crash scared us but this is what we can afford. We can’t change our flight,” Mr Haya said. “We have flown many times with them. I think the crash will make companies more careful, even more safe.”

Experts said budget and regular airlines were subject to the same regulations.

“Low-cost carriers are not less safe than flag or national carriers,” said Capt Ruben Morales, former head of flight safety operations with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

“Budget airlines base their competitive advantage in their business model, flying point-to-point only instead of offering connecting flights, reducing on-the-ground time, which translates into higher use of aircraft and productivity.”

Vital factors include the country of operation and the state’s ability to regulate under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

“The UAE has been recognised as a top country in the world in compliance with international aviation safety standards and this is reflected on every single airline registered in the country,” said Mr Morales, now general manager of corporate safety and security at Hong Kong Airlines.

Another criteria is the IATA operational safety audit, or IOSA, an international evaluation system to assess an airline’s operational management and control systems.

“FlyDubai had completed its IOSA and became a member of IATA,” Mr Morales said.

“As such FlyDubai abides by the same operational safety standards as any major carrier in the world.

“Every day 100,000 flights take off and land safely, and unfortunate events like FZ981 have to be thoroughly investigated to avoid similar events happening again.”

FZ981 was the first civil aviation disaster involving a UAE airline. The airline, a sister carrier to Emirates, began operating in 2009.

The Boeing 737-800 was built in 2011 and underwent a detailed maintenance inspection in January, the airline said.

Dubai resident Isha Mehta was preparing for a vacation to Prague this weekend.

“So far we will continue with our vacation plans, although my first reaction was shock because you don’t expect this in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai, where the economy driver is tourism,” said Ms Mehta, who works in avionics.

“I work in this field so I know airlines cannot compromise on safety – that is non-negotiable.

“I know FlyDubai has a good track record. But I hope this will make airlines 10 times more cautious so this won’t happen in the future.”­