Business continuity in a volatile world

Aviation is a dynamic industry and endures more than its fair share of crises, including health-related events, extreme weather and geopolitical instability.

But Micilia Albertus-Verboom, Director General, Dutch Caribbean Air Navigation Service Provider (DC-ANSP), says that experience has taught ANSPs to become more resilient and agile. “ANSPs have demonstrated that when challenges emerge it is important to take early action and be flexible in financial and non-financial measures.”

Collaboration with all stakeholders is equally important if a crisis is to be successfully addressed. By collaborating with the various players in the aviation ecosystem, ANSPs can benefit from their partners’ experience, skills and lessons learned. That leads to ANSPs being able to make quick, informed decisions and so strengthens their resilience.

Albertus-Verboom adds that the biggest challenge is properly assessing the risks and potential responses, especially with scarce resources. Simply, it is difficult for an ANSP to examine the myriad ways a complex industry like aviation can go wrong.

“The responsibility of the different actors within this process must be identified and acknowledged,” she says. “Leadership must assign sufficient financial and human resources before, during and post-event.”

The training of contingency procedures to ensure personnel are aware of the steps to take during a crisis event is key. “ANSPs should actively train to adapt to changing routines and to prepare for the unexpected to match the changing requirements of possible scenarios,” Albertus-Verboom concludes. “Periodical training of the contingency procedures is a must.”

To learn more, visit the Indra Theatre, Tuesday 19 March at 10:00 to hear Micilia and a panel discuss: Crisis Management in Air Traffic Management: Ensuring Business Continuity.