Airline Code [MAH]
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Tags :Continental Europe, Malev Hungarian Airlines, safety
Malév cabin crew and pilots with the greatest number of flown hours last year staged a special water rescue exercise on 06-Mar-09. After receiving accolades for their outstanding performance and professionalism, the flight attendants and pilots - each of whom has clocked up several hundred flying hours - showed the correct rescue procedure to be followed in the case of an emergency ditching in water. The presentation was staged in the Aquaworld swimming pool.
This is the second time that Malév flight attendants with the greatest number of flying hours and with the greatest frequency of travel have been honoured. However, for the first time this year the airline also recognized its pilots with the greatest number of flight hours. The primary goal of this in-house professional programme is to reward motivation and performance.
In compliance with international regulations, Malév cabin crew members regularly practice passenger rescue situations including the rapid evacuation of aircraft. These exercises are conducted at the Malév training centre. One of the key aspects of an incident where an aircraft ditches at sea is ensuring the correct use of life jackets, which are positioned under the seats of all aircraft and which should be inflated only after leaving the cabin area in order to facilitate movement within the aircraft. Passengers who have successfully evacuated the plane are picked up by cabin crew members in specially equipped life-rafts stored in the aircraft. These provide a safe place for passengers and crew to wait until they are rescued.
Life-rafts are equipped with a survival pack (drinking water, eye ointment, mirror, water sterilizing tablets, chocolate), while the distress flares, hand pump, storm oil, and raft repair kit all help the work of flight attendants carrying out the rescue. They regularly practice using these items, as well as the optimal body position in the water to minimize hypothermia. As part of the exercises staff review and assess international incidents, and they gain a practical grounding in lifesaving with the assistance of swimming instructors.
In an unusual move, Malév's first water rescue exercise open to the press was carried out by stewards and stewardesses with the greatest number of flow hours and the greatest frequency of travel in 2008. Acting CEO Géza Fehérváry presented the top cabin crew staff and pilots with Malév awards - in 16 categories according to rank and aircraft type - and congratulated them on their achievements. In his speech the acting CEO said, "The performance of our cabin staff and pilots is all the more valuable in 2008, which saw the industry faced with major challenges, and worthy of our special thanks. Colleagues honoured today went beyond the duties expected of them by the airline, and sacrificing their summer holidays they worked right through the peak season, and I can say virtually throughout the entire year. In recognizing their attitude we at the same time establish an example for all our staff members."
(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 09-Mar-09
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Malév cabin crew and pilots stage special water rescue exercise 
