Alaska Airlines Names Aviation Experts to Conduct Safety Audit.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2000

Alaska Airlines has named two independent aviation experts with nearly 100 years of combined experience to lead a comprehensive safety audit of all aspects of the airline's operations.

"Each has impeccable credentials and extensive experience," said John F. Kelly, Alaska Airlines chairman and CEO. "I have asked them to go beyond just a traditional audit of records and procedures to ensure we maximize the benefit of their safety expertise. So they will also be looking at what are termed `best practices' in addition to their detailed review of operations."

Jack Enders, former manager of Aviation Safety Research for NASA and past president and vice chairman of the Flight Safety Foundation, will oversee the audit team. He is president of Enders Associates International, an engineering consulting firm that will coordinate all aspects of the audit. The firm specializes in aviation safety, technology, air traffic control and human factors issues.

Bill Hendricks, a former director of accident investigation for both the FAA and NTSB, will serve as day-to-day project director.

Another ten independent experts will be brought in to provide specific expertise in each of the operating areas -- flight operations, and maintenance & engineering -- as well as in security and hazardous materials handling. In addition, the team has requested that several Alaska Airlines employees from Flight Operations, Maintenance & Engineering, and Customer Services serve as liaisons and provide assistance to the team.

Work is already underway. Team leaders believe they will finalize their report in about eight weeks.

"The team will provide ongoing status reports to me as they proceed, and will then issue a comprehensive summary at the end of the audit," said Kelly of the auditors. "Alaska Airlines has an excellent track record and is blessed with talented, committed people, but we are a firm believer in continuous improvement. And while I think these highly respected experts will find that safety is our number one critical success factor, if they do recommend changes or additions we will act decisively on those recommendations."

Enders has 48 years experience in aviation safety. He is a former Air Force pilot and research engineer and has won numerous awards and citations for his work in research management, safety technology and worldwide aviation safety improvement. He was a NASA research pilot and, subsequently, manager of Aviation Safety Research for NASA for more than 17 years. He also was associated with the Flight Safety Foundation for 15 years. Recently he has been involved in a study of airport landing safety for the Dutch government; an examination of technical training needs for the NTSB's accident investigation staff; and a study of domestic airline safety for the Taiwanese government.

Hendricks, with 47 years experience in aviation, is an independent aviation safety consultant engaged in all aspects of air carrier safety. He is also a pilot certified to fly multi-engine jet aircraft, including the DC-9. He was with the FAA for eight years, serving as director of the Office of Accident Investigation and deputy associate administrator for Aviation Standards. Prior to that, he was with the NTSB for 23 years, the last 10 of which he was the chief of the Aviation Accident Division responsible for the investigation of all major aviation accidents in the U.S. Hendricks was a Naval Aviator who commanded four units, including two transport squadrons and a Naval Air Station.

"We're looking for a no-holds-barred examination of everything we do related to the safety of our customers and crews," Kelly said. "And this team will give us that."