Avinor is responsible for the operation of 46 airport in Norway as well as for providing the country’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) services. As a part of the cost-cutting programme “Take-Off-05”, Avinor commissioned DNV to conduct an independent evaluation of consequences to flight and employee safety. The result from this work have helped Avinor in safely reducing costs.

In line with several other players in the aviation industry, Avinor has identified a need for cutting costs. “Take-off-05”, Avinor cost-cutting programme, reviewed the entire organisation with the aim of reducing cost without compromising safety.

As a part of this process, DNV was commissioned to conduct an independent evaluation of consequences to flight and employee safety, DNV’s broad range of experience and competence on safety in general and our aviation industry knowledge made DNV a natural partner for Avinor.

Through observations of daily work-practices, supplemented by interview and workshops, DNV identified possible hazards relevant to the introduction of the different cost-cutting measures. The resulting hypothesises on possible consequences were then tested on the organisation through extensive use of workshop. Avinor is an organisation with strong tradition, and a high level of expertise. This created a demanding political environment, and DNV’s true independence was crucial to the success of the project.

By providing a truly independent evaluation, DNV provided Avinor with a sound foundation for making decisions on the implementation of the different cost cutting measures. In addition, the involvement of large parts of the Avinor organisations in the Avinor organisation in the DNV project was in itself an important part of the change management process within Avinor.