Macau International Airport (MIA) has always been committed to ensure safety for aircraft operations and airport activities, recognizing that apron safety is as important as runway safety. To enhance awareness how Foreign Object Debris (FOD) produces potential risks to airport safety, a “FOD Walk” was organized by Safety Office on 17th November 2022, that the members of Airport Safety Committee and representatives from the industry inspected and picked up FOD on apron, as a prelude to the 5-days Ramp Safety Campaign 2022.

The walk began at 16:00 on the day, led by Airport Director Mr. Gary Geng and joined with over 30 staff from different airport entities, covering areas from the Passenger Terminal Building roadways, aircraft parking stands, underneath passenger loading bridges and aircraft taxi-lane adjacent areas. It was concluded that there is still room for improvement on prevention and elimination of FOD to ensure safe operation of the airport. At the end of the event, participants were presented with souvenirs from Safety Office for their active support to promote airport safety.

MIA Ramp Safety Campaign 2022 was held from 21st to 25th November this year, conducting both in the form of in-person meetings and webinars that experts and frontline colleagues from various airport entities joined.  Safety Manager from Safety Office of Airport Operations Department (AOD) of Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM) Mr. Justin Ip, Technician of Aeronautical Meteorology Centre (AMC) Mr. Dicky Chou and Training Manager of Menzies Macau Airport Services Limited (Menzies) Mr. Terrence Ng were invited to share their valuable experience and conducted in depth discussion on topics included Foreign Object Debris (FOD) impacts and prevention, airport lightning information service, as well as fostering safety culture within an organization with participants.

During the seminar, Mr. Justin Ip addressed the definition and potential risk of FOD as well as the significant consequences that might cause and reviewed cases of related aircraft incidents in the past and the importance of eliminating any observed FODs and prevention measures. Mr. Dicky Chou explained the RED/AMBER thunderstorm warning signals, criteria for issuance, and hazards imposed to ground operation staff.  Mr. Terrence Ng shared experience gained from safety culture practicing of Menzies.

Valuable information and suggestions were shared among participants during the in-person seminars and webinar sessions. Over 300 participants have joined the campaign from various airport entities including Airport Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, Airport Information Management Solutions, Big Four Facilities Management Company Limited, CTM, FOCUS Facilities Management Ltd., Brilliant Landscaping & Gardening Company Limited, Menzies Macau Airport Services Limited, Nam Kwong Petroleum & Chemicals Company Limited, SEMAC Security Company, Servair Macau, Sino Macau Business Aviation Center Ltd., TAG Aviation Asia (Macau), Air Macau, EVA Air and Starlux Airlines, etc.

In addition, the Safety Office introduced the Online Voluntary Safety Reporting System which will be launched from December 2022 on MIA website (https://macau-airport.com/) which allowing staff and the public to report safety matters conveniently and helping the Safety Office to collect information effectively and address follow-up actions efficiently.