Video discussion: The recent spate of airline accidents. A cause for worry? #MH17

July 29, 2014 2 Comments 272 Views

I had a chance to participate in a Boom News’ panel discussion hosted by noted journalist Govindraj Ethiraj, focussing on the issue of passenger safety in the wake of the MH17 shoot-down in Ukraine, and the crashes of Air Algerie flight AH5017 in Mali and TranAsia flight GE222 in Makung, Taiwan.

Enjoy the 30 minute program, and do share your thoughts on subject and the developments. Are you concerned with the recent spate of crashes? Do you find air travel less safe? What are your views on Russia arming Ukrainian separatists with advanced missile systems.

You might want to take a pinch of salt on some of the suggestions like arming civilian airliners with a missile defence system. The SA-11 Buk missile system makes many modern fighter pilots sweat, a slow lumbering airliner is no match for this type of missile.

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About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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2 comments

  1. Siddarth Bhandary
    July 31, 2014 at 13:19

    A very interesting and lively discussion and i was amused at prospect of arming civilian airlines with anti missile technology 🙂 A lot of people i talk to do not understand that MH17 is is not another normal accident or act of terror so to speak. Its a shocking and unexpected case of a group of people having something as potent as Buk missile which was only the preserve of a country’s armed forces. Sadly it was MAS that bore the brunt and it could have been anyone else. A friend who flies BA frequently said he would never fly MAS again and i said “Well BA flights from LHR to India go over Ukraine as well and i myself have been over it atleast 4 times”!
    I dont find air travel usafe. Had no butterflies doing trips after MH, Taiwan and Air Algeria. Flying is such a beautiful thing. The hope is lessons will be learnt from these crashes that will make flying even safer.

  2. Oussama
    August 1, 2014 at 04:53

    A great discussion that reaffirms the safety of flying. Anti missile systems are not the answer. A more transparent and robust security information exchange between countries, ANS and the airlines is needed to ensure safety from missile attacks.

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