Release #: 19.24
July 18, 2019

Capt. Nick Seemel Receives ALPA’s Air Safety Award

Fall River Resident Recognized for Outstanding Leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) today recognized Jazz Aviation Capt. Nick Seemel with its Air Safety Award for his outstanding leadership in aviation safety. Capt. Seemel was presented with the award today at ALPA’s 65th Air Safety Forum in Washington, D.C.

Over the course of his more than 30 years as an ALPA pilot, Capt. Seemel has become known around the world as a leading and respected advocate for the airline piloting profession. His work to advance safety reporting programs has resulted in a team approach between pilots and airline management and has helped enhance Canadian aviation.

“Capt. Seemel’s leadership in aviation safety will have a lasting effect within our industry for decades to come,” said Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA president. “His dedication and commitment to enhancing safety has contributed to creating in a proactive safety culture that cuts across all airlines and stakeholders with unprecedented levels of collaboration.”

As the Air Safety coordinator for ALPA Canada, Capt. Seemel leads an extensive group of pilot volunteers and, working in partnership with airline management, represents his fellow pilots to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety. He has also assisted in instructing fellow ALPA pilots on the importance and implementation of safety management systems, the nonpunitive safety reporting process that has helped make North American aviation the safest in the world.

“Safety is the foundation of our Association, and Capt. Seemel has dedicated a lifetime of service to his fellow pilots,” said Capt. Claude Buraglia, chairman of ALPA’s Jazz pilot group. “We thank him for his leadership and his commitment to improving the safety of the profession, which has not only benefited the pilots of Jazz, but those across the industry worldwide.”

Capt. Seemel began his flying career in northern Canada as a bush pilot and is currently a line training captain with Jazz Aviation, which primarily conducts business as Air Canada Express throughout North America. As one of the leading subject-matter experts on safety management systems, Capt. Seemel is currently advancing global aviation through his role on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Safety Management Panel, which is in the process of reviewing and amending international standards.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 62,000 pilots at 35 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org