Aviation in Cape Verde - The alignment of Swiss cheese and the challenges of operational safety
In modern aviation, safety is never the result of chance, but rather the reflection of a complex system of barriers and defenses built to prevent accidents. In Cape Verde, where aviation plays a vital role in linking the islands and connecting the country to the world, there is a growing need to deepen our understanding of international safety models, such as the famous "Swiss cheese model", which is widely applied in aviation risk management.
This model, devised by psychologist James Reason, illustrates how human and organizational failures can line up in a chain, leading to adverse events - such as serious incidents or plane crashes. The logic is simple: each layer of protection represents a barrier against errors, but they all have gaps ("holes"), which, when they align, pave the way for a disaster to occur.
The layers of Swiss cheese in Cape Verdean aviation
In the specific case of aviation in Cape Verde, we can identify four major layers of protection, in line with the model:
1. Organization and Management
The first line of defence is at the institutional level. This includes public policies, investments in training, the definition of adequate resources and regulatory supervision. In Cape Verde, the role of the Civil Aviation Agency (AAC), the government and the national airlines is crucial. If there are flaws in this layer - such as poorly defined policies, a lack of technical resources or an absence of effective oversight - a first "hole" is created that weakens the entire safety structure.
2. Supervision
The second layer involves flight planning, operational management and leadership within companies. Poorly scheduled crew, maintenance delays or pressure for productivity can compromise performance. On small islands, where air connectivity is vital, there are added risks: pressure to maintain flights even in adverse conditions, a shortage of reserve aircraft and operational overload for reduced teams.
3. Crew conditions
The human factor is one of the most critical. Fatigue, stress, communication problems and failures in internal crew coordination can directly affect safety. In Cape Verde, where stopovers often involve multiple inter-island flights on the same day, pilot and flight attendant fatigue is a real concern. A tired captain may have slower reflexes or make less assertive decisions in times of crisis.
4. Operator actions
The last barrier is practical execution: the crew's decisions and actions during the flight operation. This includes the strict application of procedures, the proper use of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and the ability to respond in unforeseen situations. CRM, in particular, is essential: it strengthens communication between pilots, distributes responsibilities and reduces the margin for human error. In Cape Verde, investing in strengthening CRM training can be decisive in preventing small failures from turning into catastrophes.
When the holes line up
An accident only occurs when failures in all these layers line up. If the organization doesn't guarantee enough resources, if supervision fails to correct deviations, if the crew is fatigued and, finally, if the operators can't react in time, the result can be disastrous.
The history of world aviation shows countless examples where the Swiss cheese model has been confirmed. The danger for Cape Verde is believing that, because it is a small country with less air traffic, the risks are reduced. The reality is the opposite: more fragile systems, with fewer redundancies and fewer resources, can become even more vulnerable.
The role of CRM in reinforcing barriers
Crew Resource Management is the tool that strengthens the human layers - crew and operators. By improving communication, fostering coordination and developing decision-making skills under pressure, CRM acts as a "cement" that reduces the likelihood of potholes lining up to crash.
Conclusion: a wake-up call for Cape Verde
Aviation in Cape Verde needs to look at this model not just as an abstract theory, but as a practical reality. Investing in sound policies, strengthening supervision, protecting crew conditions and investing heavily in CRM is more than a technical requirement - it's a commitment to human life.
Aviation in Cape Verde needs to look at this model not as an abstract theory but as a practical reality.
In an archipelago dependent on air transport, every "hole" ignored represents a weakness in the system. And if safety is a Swiss cheese, it's up to the authorities and national companies to ensure that the slices are thick, sturdy and well aligned, so that there's never any room for an accident.
