SWA to Take Part in Confidential Information Sharing Program
Friday, January 28, 2011

On Jan. 20 an agreement was finalized between NATCA, Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA), FAA and Southwest Airlines. SWA joins UAL as the only two airlines to have such an agreement with ATSAP that will allow us to confidentially share information gathered through our respective voluntary safety reporting programs.

The sharing of information under this program does not alter the acceptability of a report or the protections provided under ATSAP; nor does it impact the sole-source/non-sole source designation of a submitted report.

Like the agreement with UAL, this is a demonstration program that initially runs for 18 months, and it is our belief that it will prove beneficial and extended as a continuing program.

The agreement with UAL has been in place since September 22, 2009, and we are now starting to see the benefits of having such a unique safety program. In the near future, you can expect to see joint communications and some targeted awareness items for both the controllers and pilots.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either Mike Blake at mblake@natca.net or Steve Hansen at shansen@natca.net.  


Click here to view the MOU.