A terrible plane crash of a low-cost airline in South Korea leaves 179 dead. The safety of these low-cost carriers is called into question. An in-depth investigation should shed light on the causes of this air disaster and the measures to be taken to strengthen controls…
On Sunday, December 29, the crash of a Boeing 737-800 of the South Korean low-cost airline Jeju Air at Muan International Airport left 179 dead among the 181 passengers, a tragedy that raises serious questions about the security of these low-cost carriers.
Known for its very competitive prices on routes from Seoul to destinations such as Tokyo, Bangkok or Osaka, Jeju Air has so far not experienced any major incidents. But Sunday’s terrible accident tarnishes the reputation of this company and casts a shadow over the entire thriving low-cost flight sector.
Around a hundred low-cost airlines in the world, half in Europe
Today there are more than a hundred low-cost airlines around the world, half of which are in Europe alone, riding on the success of an economic model which is attracting a growing number of travelers looking for low prices. But has this rapid development not been to the detriment of passenger safety ?
South Korean authorities responded promptly by launching a “full inspection” of all Boeing 737-800s used by the country’s airlines. A measure which aims to reassure but which says a lot about the fears aroused by this disaster.
Old doubts about the reliability of low-cost
Beyond the shock and emotion, this accident only revives recurring questions on the risks taken by these companies to reduce their costs. Suspicions of cheap maintenance, accelerated pilot training, intensive use of aircraft… The criticisms are not new but have never been as strong as today.
Low-cost should not rhyme with low-security
An aeronautical expert
However, until now, the safety record of low-cost airlines was no more alarming than that of traditional airlines. According to data from the Aircraft Accident Records Bureau, over the last twenty years, their rate of accidents per million flights was even slightly lower than average.
A low-cost model compatible with high security standards?
However, is it possible to reconcile the ultra-aggressive pricing policy of low-cost with the maintaining optimal safety standards ? This is the whole point of the debate which opens after this tragedy. Low-cost companies will have to redouble their efforts and transparency to convince that they are not compromising on safety.
Regulatory authorities and travelers alike will be more attentive than ever to the guarantees provided. Because if the quest for the lowest prices is legitimate, it must under no circumstances come at the cost of human lives. The right to cheap flights cannot take precedence over the absolute requirement of security.
An in-depth investigation to shed light
The investigation into the Jeju Air flight accident will have to shed light on the causes of this disaster. If it turns out that failures in maintenance, training or company procedures are to blame, that’s all low-cost system which could waver on its foundations.
While awaiting the conclusions of the investigations, we can bet that all low-cost airlines will take the lead by strengthening their controls and actively communicating their safety commitment. The issue is crucial for the survival of an economic model which has democratized air transport but which must more than ever prove its viability and reliability.
This tragic accident must serve as a shock to strengthen safety requirements at all levels, from the design of aircraft to their operation. Because passenger trust is a precious asset that low-cost airlines, like all airlines, cannot afford to squander. Security is priceless, it must remain non-negotiable.
