Scott Chiang (left) and Jason Chao
New Macau Association (ANM) president Scott Chiang and vice-president Jason Chao called on the Macau Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) yesterday for the immediate release of the investigation report into the fractured landing gear on a Mega Maldives Airlines plane last year.
As reported on Tuesday, an aircraft operated by Mega Maldives Airlines was forced to remain grounded at the Macau airport after its landing gear suddenly malfunctioned last May. It remained there for two months until Boeing Shanghai sent staff to repair it.
The association representatives have said that they want to know when the investigation was (or will be) concluded, as well as when the final report will be released and the justification for withholding the report contrary to the requirements outlined in the law and by international convention.
According to Law no. 2/2013 “Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation and Aviation Safety Information Protection Law” and Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention, “the State conducting the investigation should release the final report in the shortest possible time and, if possible, within twelve months of the date of the occurrence.”
ANM added that if the second delay of Mega Maldives Airlines hadn’t attracted considerable media attention, the public “might still be in the dark” about the landing gear incident last year.
“The problem is two-sided: firstly an airline with a safety record that is less-than-perfect [is operating in Macau], and secondly, Macau – as a member of the international community – has a responsibility to monitor and report these situations to the community,” said ANM president, Scott Chiang.
They also said that the incident could impact tourism in the city and may affect Macau residents seeking to travel abroad. “In addition to the fare, service and safety records are often taken into account when passengers go to book their flights so the AACM should let the public have access to the safety records of airlines,” said Jason Chao.
Asked how the incident would affect Macau residents, Chiang retorted, “Is it [the effect of the incident] exclusive to foreign residents? We are an international city. How will an international airline with an unreliable safety record, impact the reputation of Macau as an international city?”
Moreover, ANM raised suspicions over the renewal of the license of Mega Maldives Airlines, which is due to be renewed almost exactly twelve months after the incident occurred on May 28, 2015.
“This ‘coincidence’ has raised suspicion over the possibility that AACM is deliberately delaying the release of the final report to the maximum time permitted by law,” an ANM statement read. “As a result, the review will be processed before the final report on the incident is released to the public.” Daniel Beitler
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