Dear Colleagues,
Yesterday was a tragic day for all of us. All 16 people on board the plane that slid off the runway and caught fire at Stord Airport in Norway were on the job for Aker Kvaerner. 4 people are missing and presumed dead, 2 of whom were directly employed by Aker Kvaerner. Thankfully 12 people were safely rescued and taken care of.
11 Oct 06
Word of the accident at Stord reached me when we arrived at Hammerfest Airport at approximately 9 AM. My thoughts went immediately to the families of the victims, and the pain they must be experiencing. A few hours later, I, Simen Lieungh (EVP, FDE) and Stian Vemmestad (Pres., AKST) arrived at Aker Kvaerner Stord. Together with Tore Engevik (President, AKEL) and Kristian Pedersen (Emp. Rep.) we met the crisis team at Aker Kvaerner Stord. Witnessing such an occurrence so close hand had a strong effect on all of us.
We then visited the hospitals at Stord and in Bergen where the injured were brought. Most of them suffered from burn and smoke injuries, but their condition was described to us by the hospital as stabile. We met with them and some of their families. Some of the injured were in intensive care, while we witnessed with relief 4 of the injured being discharged from the hospital. It was a very moving experience for all of us.
Today, and in the weeks to come, we are following up those that lost their loved ones, the survivors and their families, making sure that they receive any support that we can provide for them at this difficult time. We are, or course, offering to take care of transport and accommodations for them to the accident site, as well as the hospital and any other practical assistance that they might need.
A minute of silence was observed in Aker Kvaerner worldwide today in honour of those that died. In addition, on Thursday, October 12, commemorative services will be held at the Ormen Lange site, Stord, in Stavanger and at the corporate offices in Lysaker.
All of us were shocked by the events of yesterday. I understand that many feel the need to discuss what happened. We will continue to operate crisis centres at Stord and in Stavanger. In our other offices we encourage you to talk to your colleagues and take it up with your local manager if you feel the need for further assistance.
I get feedback from employees who are concerned about the safety of flying. Let me be clear. We don’t compromise when it comes to safety. We have people on hundreds of flights worldwide every day, and we want to be confident that both the airlines and the airplanes Aker Kvaerner employees use are safe.
Safety has been the focus since the start of our relationship with Atlantic Airways in 2004. Part of the broad evaluation we did before engaging its services was focused on safety. In addition to the evaluations we performed ourselves, we also contracted external aviation specialists for the review process. The Civil Aviation Authorities in Denmark have inspected and approved Atlantic Airways and its planes – with no remarks on safety. Safety has also been the focus in our normal contact with Atlantic. During our collaboration, we have experienced that feedback and concerns from our employees have been dealt with by the airline.
Atlantic Airways uses a plane type called BAE-146. There are approximately 300 of these planes being used by airlines in Europe and elsewhere. Aviation authorities and airlines in general, consider this plane type to be very safe.
After the accident on 10 October, we have been in contact with the Civil Aviation Authorities in both Norway and Denmark. We are also in dialogue with Atlantic Airways. We have received reassurance from both the Civil Aviation Authorities and the airline that it is safe to continue to fly with Atlantic and its planes.
At a time like this we can understand that there might be some of you that are not comfortable flying. We encourage you to take it up with your local manager who will try to assist you in making other arrangements for your travel. Out of respect for the concern many employees may feel, we have decided that Atlantic Airways charter flights will not use Stord Airport until further notice.
In addition to the measures I have mentioned, we will be closely following the investigations now being undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authorities.
Please be assured that I, and the whole management team of Aker Kvaerner, have safety as our highest priority.
My thoughts and deepest sympathy goes to the families of those that have lost their loved ones, and to those that have been injured in this dreadful accident.
Martinus Brandal
President & CEO
Aker Kværner ASA
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