Face Off: Should passengers be required to get a plane safety certificate before boarding a flight?
Each week, two readers discuss a hot topic in a parliamentary-style debate that doesn’t necessarily reflect their personal viewpoints
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For: Dora Huang Ling-yuet, 13, St Paul’s Co-educational College
At a time when air travel has become routine, many people have gained a false sense of security, believing that they know enough about plane safety.
But as the number of aircraft accidents rises, safety education becomes essential. In 2024 alone, there were 16 fatal aviation accidents around the world, killing 333 people.
Do you pay attention to the in-flight safety video or read the pamphlet in your seat pocket? Beihang University in Beijing, China, conducted a study on evacuation during an aviation accident. Participants were put in a simulation. The majority did not know the location of exit doors and could not recall the evacuation process.
As a result, many were confused and did not escape quickly, delaying others and creating crowding. Lack of proper plane safety education can lead to dire consequences.
A stressful situation can trigger a person’s fight-or-flight response, a psychological reaction where your body prepares to either stay and “fight” a threat or run away to safety – take “flight”. This response releases hormones that leave a person alarmed and exhausted, overwhelming their ability to make decisions.
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If you are unfamiliar with evacuation protocol, not knowing what to do – combined with the severity of the situation – will result in pressure and panic that stops you from following instructions properly. This leads to confusion and disorder at a critical moment.
Research suggests passengers who stay calm can act quickly and orderly, especially if they know what to do.
A plane safety course would inform passengers about emergency procedures and the proper use of equipment. A certification at the end would indicate a passenger is educated and prepared, decreasing the risk of injury and fatalities in an emergency.
This course would enhance emergency evacuation, as passengers would become familiar with routes, protocols and equipment.
The course would prepare passengers, decreasing panic and chaos in a stressful situation. They could save themselves, assist others and speed up the emergency procedure. A small commitment to safety knowledge can make a profound impact.
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Against: Peter Chui, 15, Maryknoll Fathers’ School
A plane safety certificate would require individuals to complete a course about flying and plane safety guidelines. Passengers would have to pass an assessment and present the proof, a certificate, before boarding a flight.
One major issue with a plane safety course and certificate is that it effectively excludes young children, individuals with disabilities and some others from travelling.
How can we expect very young children to complete an emergency protocol and equipment course? This sort of programme would not be accommodating of those with visual, auditory and physical disabilities.
Air travel should be accessible to everyone, even if they cannot fully comprehend guidelines, let alone fulfil certification requirements.
Completing this programme may not be feasible for certain individuals, or it could be a substantial hurdle for them. In this sense, requiring every passenger to obtain a plane safety certificate before boarding a flight is unnecessary.
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Another obvious issue is that it is too optimistic and neglects to consider selfish humans. The assumption here is that passengers can be held responsible for the safe operations of an aircraft.
In reality, passengers have varying ideas about aviation safety. Some may take the responsibility seriously, while others may prioritise their own comfort or convenience over collective safety.
Then, what is the use of a certificate? Will it be just a piece of wasted paper? The answer is crystal clear.
What baffles me is whether this proposed qualification can even meet rigorous standards. It is unrealistic to think that passengers will undergo a comprehensive training programme. It is more likely they merely complete a superficial safety course.
Scams are rampant these days, too. What if a non-verified company sets up an online flight safety course to make money? These are all questions we need to consider.
I strongly disagree with a required plane safety certificate as it prevents particular groups from flying and ignores issues that might arise due to humans’ selfishness. It is not a feasible measure.