Denver, Colorado — Key Lime Air (KLA), which operates passenger service Denver Air Connection, proudly announces the latest evolution of its safety protocols through significant technological upgrades and strategic personnel additions. This initiative underscores the airline’s unwavering commitment to being one of the safest carriers in the industry. New Leadership and Expertise.
The airline’s growth trajectory over recent years has demanded the evolution of its safety culture to match its expanding operations, which includes round trip flights to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport from Jackson Regional Airport.
This transformation began 18 months ago with the appointment of Michael Ruhsenberger as the Senior Vice President of Performance and Accountability. Mr. Ruhsenberger emphasizes that “safety is a shared responsibility across all departments, from flight operations to administrative functions.” In a decisive move to bolster its policy and procedures documentation program, Key Lime Air recently welcomed Rick Van Keuren, a veteran FAA subject matter expert, into its team.
With over 27 years of experience, Mr. Van Keuren’s arrival marks a pivotal step in the overall analysis of company policies, procedures, and operational documentation.
Departmental Restructuring and New Appointments
A vital component of Mr. Ruhsenberger’s vision was the restructuring of the safety department. Jake Fahlstedt’s promotion to Vice President of Safety, alongside the hiring of Scott Tish as Safety Management System (SMS) Program Manager, exemplifies Key Lime Air’s proactive approach.
Mr. Tish brings extensive experience in pilot training and safety analysis, having held significant roles in aviation services. In his strategy for the SMS, Mr. Tish highlights, “We collaborate as a team to address safety-related issues, ensuring every employee is recognized as a Front-Line Safety Risk Manager.” Technological Advances and Certifications Under leadership of Fahlstedt and Tish, Key Lime Air transitioned to the VOCUS SMS software system, enhancing its management and analysis capabilities. This system features an upgrade of the Aviation Safety Action Program, promoting an integrated culture of self-reporting issues and incidents.
The past year has also seen Key Lime Air renew its ISBAO and ARGUS certifications, add three new aircraft to its certificate, and enhance interactions between its Continuing Analysis and Surveillance and SMS programs.
“By putting the right people in the right position, not just in the safety department, our overall culture is stronger than ever. The peer-to-peer promotion has been incredible. When your coworkers actively encourage and support each other, it fosters a shared commitment to awareness throughout the company,” reported Mr. Fahlstedt. “We remain committed to never stop learning and continuing to emphasis our safety philosophy in all aspects of our operations.”
Key Lime Air remains steadfast in its mission to ensure the highest safety standards, making strategic investments and leveraging expert knowledge to safeguard its passengers and employees.
About Key Lime Air: Key Lime Air is a regional airline headquartered in Denver, Colorado, offering high-quality air travel services across the country. For over two decades, Key Lime Air has delivered air cargo, charter and scheduled passenger services designed to meet the needs of the communities and customers we serve. Denver Air Connection is the passenger service brand operated by Key Lime Air, a Department of Transportation certificated Part 121 airline, based in Denver.
