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SH&E Safety and Security practice receives coverage from Associated Press SH&E's Safety and Security practice, while confidential in its assignments, is recognized within the aviation industry as world leader in its work. Periodically the media covers SH&E Safety and Security activity, and the firm is always glad to publicly address general issues of interest while avoiding client references or specifics. (See also, "Security Blind Spot: Air Cargo", The Wall Street Journal, January 27, 2004) The current story was released today from Athens by the Associated Press. By DEREK GATOPOULOS ATHENS, Greece (AP) - The government promised Friday to improve flight standards before the Aug. 13-29 Olympics, and seek a change in the low rating given to its civil aviation service by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Transport Minister Michalis Liapis announced the appointment of a new civil aviation chief, while the ministry expanded cooperation with an American consultancy firm to provide training and advice. The FAA in 2000 said Greece was not following standards set by the International Civil Aviation Authority and imposed restrictions on U.S. flights by Greek national carrier Olympic Airlines. Olympic, which operates flights to New York and Boston, is subject to increased FAA scrutiny and cannot expand American operations until Greece's rating is changed. Although a category change would have no direct impact on the 1.5 million people expected to visit Athens during the games, Greece is keen to boost its image as a safe country before the Olympics in light of international concern over terrorism. Most nations in the FAA's Category 2 rating are in Africa and South America. "Our aim is to upgrade and modernize the (Greek) aviation authority and safety of flights ahead of the Olympics games," said Liapis, who met U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Thomas Miller. Liapis said a new head of Greek civil aviation will be appointed next week - Ret. Air Force Lt. Gen. Panayiotis Manoussos. "My government is trying to do as much as (it) can to be of assistance, particularly on the security said," Miller said. Transport ministry officials also met Friday with Louis A. Sorrentino, vice president of the SH&E International Air Transport Consultancy, a New York-based company that works with the FAA. "We have finalized an agreement with the Greek government to provide support for safety initiatives ... We are looking forward to assist the Greek government in achieving its goals," Sorrentino told The Associated Press. He said the company began working with Greece in November but will now increase the level of cooperation. The FAA's rating system concerns the quality of the civil aviation services of countries which provide flights to the United States and not of individual airlines. [Ends] SH&E's Safety, Security and Operations Services SH&E consults a wide variety of clients in the global aviation world on determining the safety and operational integrity of the clients operation. The scope of consulting projects performed on behalf of our client’s ranges from airline safety and operations assessments including corporate flight department assessments, fuel farm and ground services support training, airport security assessments, and technical manual development. SH&E has developed and continues to enhance an assessment methodology tool called “Safety Architecture," which enables a thorough and exact understanding of the specific client's operation. SH&E’s Safety Architecture evaluation methodology is based on the principle of incorporating a comprehensive “Process Assessment” philosophy into all aspects of Flight Operations, Ground Operations, Maintenance, Security and other technical areas. The methodology goes further in seeking to determine the appropriateness and abilities of the management processes, such as leadership and structure, communication, problem resolution and continuous surveillance, to meet an organization’s responsibilities for its safe operation. SH&E and the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), the world’s leading independent aviation safety organization, have an alliance to promote the independent evaluation and audit of airlines’ and airports’ safety processes. SH&E also provides a specific program of Airport Security Assessments. Click here for further information.
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