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Queenstown and Wanaka airports have joined forces to promote a range of health, safety and security initiatives for this year’s Airport Safety Week, which kicked off today and runs until 19 October.

Airport Safety Week is an annual safety campaign designed to engage staff and contractors working at airports.  It is a collaboration between the Australian Airports Association (AAA) and the NZ Airports Association (NZ Airports) which is supported by airports on both sides of the ditch.

This year’s theme for all airports is Walk in My Shoes.  Queenstown Airport Corporation, which manages both Queenstown and Wanaka airports, will host a series of events tailored to each airport community.

Highlights at Queenstown Airport include a speaker series with topics on emergency preparedness, health and wellbeing, and drone awareness as well as an airport fire service ‘open house’, scavenger hunt, and free yoga and wellness massages for the airport community.  Over in Wanaka, activities include a FOD* hazard walk and fire trailer demonstrations.  Both airports will host social events for their tenants and contractors.

Queenstown Airport community taking part in the 2017 Airport Safety Week FOD* Walk

Queenstown Airport GM Operations and Safety Mike Clay believes Airport Safety Week is a great way to highlight the importance of airport safety and create an opportunity to bring airport communities closer together.

“Our top priority is safety first, always – we want to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our customers and staff every day.  Airport Safety Week gives us an opportunity to promote what we do day-to-day and raise awareness about the importance of health and safety in a fun, informative way.

“Our programme of events for the week will hopefully make safety top of mind for our staff and contractors and encourage conversations around personal and workplace health, safety and security.

Dan Kirkman, Queenstown Airport Airfield Compliance Manager, and Antony Sproull, Air Milford Chief Pilot, at Airport Safety Week 2018 launch breakfast (15 October)

“Talks are also underway with Dunedin and Invercargill airports about a staff exchange programme and working together on some cross-airport Safety Week initiatives next year.  We’re different but share the same goals – all want to provide a safe, secure and healthy environment for our staff and customers,” said Mr Clay.

For more information on Airport Safety Week please visit www.airportsafetyweek.com.