First Officer John Klinger receives the 2015 Air Safety Award from ALPA President Captain Tim Canoll.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) announced that it will recognize Delta Air Lines First Officer John R. Klinger with its Air Safety Award for advancing ALPA’s safety interests for over two decades. First Officer Klinger will be presented with this prestigious award today at ALPA’s 62nd Air Safety Forum in Washington, D.C.

First Officer Klinger’s work on aviation safety issues has been instrumental in setting a benchmark for voluntary reporting programs across the industry. As an advocate for the advancement of voluntary safety programs, which identify potential safety issues as they arise, his efforts have led to a better understanding of reported issues and to safety process improvements at Delta Air Lines.

“First Officer Klinger’s dedicated work to enhance aviation safety can be felt today and will continue to have a lasting effect within our industry for years to come,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA president. “His compassion and commitment to his fellow pilots sets him apart, and his collaborative efforts to ensure real progress has earned him the respect from crewmembers and management alike.”

First serving as a Base Safety chair for American Eagle, First Officer Klinger brought his valuable experience to Delta Air Lines, where he has held several safety-focused positions throughout the years. Following the Delta/Northwest merger in 2008, he was appointed to the Flight Operations Integration Analysis Team, which has been heralded as an industry model on how to integrate two complex and vastly differing airline operations.

First Officer Klinger’s lasting contributions stem from his keen ability to recognize early on the valuable safety information that could be gleaned by allowing voluntary safety reporting systems to interface. His efforts in a groundbreaking “CrossTalk” agreement allowed Delta to better understand risk and improve safety processes, demonstrating what the industry can achieve with safety reporting programs when there is a positive, collaborative approach from all parties.