Omaha, Nebraska-based management company Jet Linx recently dedicated a day to advancing the private aviation industry's rigorous safety standards during its annual Safety Summit. The operator reinforced its pledge to deliver the highest standard of safety by voluntarily grounding its fleet of over 100 aircraft and bringing together all of its more than 500 employees to focus on safety. This is the third consecutive year for the summit.

The focus of the third annual Safety Summit was safety culture, safety management, and how to identify potential hazards. The day included a special keynote session from Jim Hall, former National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chairman, on organisational contributing factors in aviation safety.

“Since the inception of Jet Linx 20 years ago, safety has been the cornerstone of our company,” states president and CEO Jamie Walker. “Our annual Safety Summit allows us to continue advancing best safety practices and standards of excellence across the entire organisation. As a leader in the industry, it is our responsibility to hold ourselves accountable and further the highest safety standards. We are proud to invest considerable time, energy and financial resources in order to deliver our aircraft owners and jet card members with the confidence that they are flying with the industry's best.”

Jim Hall adds: “Jet Linx has taken all the right steps in setting the precedent of making safety the number one priority. While there is no perfect way to implement a safety management system, the company is moving in the right direction, and perhaps most importantly, calling on others to do the same.

“For Jet Linx to reach out and encourage the prioritisation of passenger and employee safety at the highest level in its effort to improve operations across our industry is impressive.”

The Safety Summit was co-led this year by Sheryl Clarke, Jet Linx's newly appointed director of safety and security, who is responsible for leading the safety department and the continued enhancement of Jet Linx's safety programmes to ensure that every measure is taken to meet and exceed government regulations.

Clarke joins Jet Linx from United Airlines, where she was MD of airport operations safety and compliance, managing all safety efforts for the 337 airports served by the airline.

“I am thrilled to be joining Jet Linx at such a significant moment to help the company continue to transform the private aviation industry,” she says. “Jet Linx has managed to pursue a nationwide expansion while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of their clients, pilots and team. I am proud to be working with the team to continue to drive the industry standards for safety and security.”

Clarke's executive appointment comes as Jet Linx celebrates its continued expansion into new markets, including Austin, Boston, Chicago and New York, with planned future locations in Florida and California.