Dunedin Airport head of safety and compliance Glenn Knipe (left) celebrates his completion of the Airports Council International and International Civil Aviation Organisation’s professional designation programme with chief executive Daniel De Bono. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Dunedin Airport is the first airport in New Zealand to have a safety professional graduate from a prestigious international course, recognised around the world. Dunedin Airport head of safety and compliance Glenn Knipe recently completed the Airports Council International (ACI) and International Civil Aviation Organisation’s joint professional designation programme — an internationally recognised qualification in airport safety. He is the only airport safety professional in New Zealand to complete the programme. It allowed him to be nominated for and join the latest ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Operational Committee, comprised of select aviation leaders from around the world. Mr Knipe, who has been with Dunedin Airport since November 2022, said the programme was considered a ‘‘premier professional qualification to gain in aviation safety’’ and was recognised throughout the world. He understood only about 60 people in the world had achieved it. ‘‘It’s really [about] best practice globally of what an airport should be doing and trying to link all these airports internationally to ensure that everyone’s doing the same thing.’’ Completing it meant he had the knowledge and skills to lift safety at Dunedin Airport to another tier, aligning it with international standards. There would be improved risk management, identifying risk alert levels through trend analysis, and aerodrome specific inspections and audits. The programme covered all areas of an airport including runways, taxiways, wildlife, airfield layout, monitoring risks, audit techniques and internal investigations. The courses were conducted online. Most started at 12am and could go to 3am-4am, if not later. ‘‘That was tricky, but the learning was just amazing. ‘‘Sometimes it was almost jaw-dropping as you listened to these other experts in the industry talking.’’ Those experts sometimes had up to 50 years’ worth of experience working at airports. Mr Knipe was joined by people from countries including the United States, Ghana, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Singapore and the United Kingdom. There was an examination at the end and he was also given readings and homework to do, which was ‘‘like being back at university’’. ‘‘I always say, once you’ve worked at an airport, it gets in your blood. ‘‘It’s such a fantastic environment to be in, and me personally, I really enjoy it.’’ The programme could take up to three years to complete, but Mr Knipe did it in two. Dunedin Airport chief executive Daniel De Bono said to obtain the qualification in a shortened timeframe, while still managing the day-to-day safety and compliance responsibilities of the airport, deserved to be highlighted and celebrated. ‘‘The knowledge and international connections Glenn has gained are excellent resources for Dunedin Airport. ‘‘From the little airport that could, we are proud to contribute and lead among the giants of the global airport sector.’’ tim.scott@odt.co.nz
