Air France-KLM is due to release the findings of an independent review broadly critical of some of the airline's past safety practices and internal safeguards. The conclusions, which cap a yearlong assessment by an international panel of eight aviation experts hand-picked by senior Air France officials, are expected to be unveiled today. The review is unusual not only because of its frequently critical tone, but also because the airline's management tentatively plans to make portions public. The report is expected to question some of the carrier's pilot-training efforts, highlight lapses in cockpit discipline and stress the importance of making flight crews more proficient in dealing with onboard automation failures.
The report is expected to recommend a wide range of procedural and internal oversight changes, partly intended to ensure that details of incidents and safety threats are quickly analyzed and communicated throughout the carrier. Air France already has adopted many of the recommendations.