SkyUp™ continues to implement initiatives that meet the highest aviation safety standards in Europe and worldwide.
One such initiative is the SkyUp Peer Support Programme (PSP) — a program that provides emotional support not only to pilots, for whom it is a mandatory EU requirement, but also to cabin crew. This helps the entire crew maintain high levels of professionalism and resilience under any conditions. The peers include both pilots and cabin crew members, ensuring that, for example, a flight attendant can receive support from a colleague in the same role.
Thanks to SkyUp™, the Crew Peer Support Programme has been implemented for the first time in the history of Ukrainian aviation, and the inclusion of cabin crew support is a unique initiative even by European standards.
The organization of the SkyUp Peer Support Programme began in May 2023 and continued until August 2024. During this period, participants were selected to serve as peers — individuals who provide support to their colleagues. All peers completed a course offered by the International Division of the UK Civil Aviation Authority under the «Pilot and Peer Assistance Awareness and Training» program. Additionally, an internal website was developed for the support program, and regulatory documents outlining PSP procedures were prepared and approved.
How the Crew Peer Support Programme works
Under the SkyUp Peer Support Programme, any crew member can reach out to peers to discuss issues affecting their emotional well-being, whether these concerns are work-related or personal. To request support, a crew member must submit a request through the PSP website, provide personal details, and select the peer they wish to talk to. The PSP is based on the principles of trust, collaboration, proactivity, confidentiality, and safety. This ensures that crew members can seek help without fear of judgment, knowing that the support process is confidential, except in cases where disclosure is required by law to ensure safety.
«In the future, we plan to expand the peer team to enhance support for our colleagues. This will enable us to provide timely assistance and offer various support options. Our goal is to create a psychologically safe environment in aviation, where everyone can receive confidential professional support from a colleague. This perfectly embodies our values at SkyUp™ — caring for the team and its safety» — commented Diana Busuyok, flight department psychologist and curator of the SkyUp Peer Support Programme.
Last year, to enhance flight safety, SkyUp implemented an aviation safety risk management system from Osprey Flight Solutions. As safety remains our highest priority, this solution ensures comprehensive risk management from takeoff to landing. The Osprey system integrates advanced technology and data analysis to optimize routes and flight schedules.