What is a 'safety management system' in urban air operations?

A safety management system (SMS) in urban air operations is defined as a systematic approach to managing safety risks and ensuring safety performance. This framework encompasses various components, including policy formulation, risk assessment, safety assurance, and safety promotion. The primary goal of an SMS is to proactively identify and mitigate hazards, enabling operators to maintain high safety standards and compliance with regulatory requirements.

In the context of urban air operations, implementing an SMS is vital for integrating safety into everyday processes, allowing organizations to foster a safety culture that supports continuous improvement. The systematic nature of the SMS means that it involves procedures and protocols that are designed not only to react to safety issues but to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

The other options, while possibly related to operational concerns, do not encompass the breadth or fundamental purpose of an SMS. Increasing flight speeds does not pertain to safety management, tracking passenger complaints focuses on customer service rather than managing safety, and simply having training manuals is insufficient without a cohesive strategy for risk management and safety assurance.