Meet Cedric, the Safety Champion at SATS Asia Pacific Star
At SATS, safety isn’t just a poster on the wall—it's a core value that drives our operations across the globe. In this story, we’re shining the spotlight on someone who puts this value into action.
Meet Cedric, short for Frence Cedric Cagas Bicoy, a Ramp Specialist at SATS Asia Pacific Star (APS), who has earned multiple recognitions for his stellar work ethic and focus on safety.
Frence Cedric Bicoy, Ramp Specialist, SATS Asia Pacific Star
An eye for safety
Cedric takes us back to March 2021, when he was on headset duty for a routine flight. Everything seemed normal until he noticed something off—a faulty anti-collision light. It might have been an easy oversight for others, but not Cedric.
As it happens, the issue wasn’t just a small technical error—it could have caused a dangerous safety risk to the flight and its passengers. Thanks to Cedric’s keen eye for safety, the team was able to prevent a potential hazard.
In another instance, Cedric was handling aircraft pushback when he spotted a defective aircraft part. Without hesitation, he flagged it to his supervisors and the flight crew, and the issue was then resolved.
Cedric’s vigilance didn’t go unnoticed. He was awarded the prestigious SATS PCEO Safety Excellence Award, which is given to individuals across the SATS Group who demonstrate outstanding job knowledge, skills, and commitment to the organisation’s core values, in particular, safety.
Why is Cedric always on guard for these safety hazards? His answer is simple: “I think about the passengers. They’re people like me, with families waiting for them. I want them to have a safe journey.”
Cedric has received various accolades over the years: SATS APS' Employee of the Month, Changi Airport Group's SAFE Award, SATS PCEO Safety Excellence Award
Going the extra mile
Cedric didn’t develop his admirable work attitude overnight. He was a Quality and Safety Administrator at Sharjah Airport Free Zone in the UAE before joining SATS APS in 2018. The role may have given him a strong foundation in safety protocols, but it’s his mindset that gains him the respect of his colleagues and supervisors.
“It’s simple, really,” Cedric shares. “This company has given me so much. I’ve been able to build a house for my family and travel to different places because of this job.” It is this same gratitude that fuels him to go above and beyond his duties as a Ramp Specialist.
“They ask me to walk one mile? I’ll walk ten,” he adds with a modest smile. “I want to give back by doing my best every day.”
Staying positive in a physically taxing job
Cedric’s job as a Ramp Specialist requires him to be versatile
The work of a Ramp Specialist can be taxing for both the body and mind. Cedric’s role requires him to be versatile and ready to assist wherever needed.
One day, he could be driving tractors; the next, he might be operating the passenger loading bridge or handling headset duties. In peak travel periods, the stress on the tarmac and ground agents is intense as they need to support consecutive flights with tight turnarounds. But Cedric has his own way of keeping his spirits high, even on tough days.
“I remind myself that the hard part is temporary. After work, I get to go home to my wife, and that thought keeps me going,” he explains. It may be a simple thought, but it works.
Cedric also believes that a positive mindset creates ripples. “If I come to work with a cheerful attitude and do my job well, my colleagues will notice and follow suit. But if I slack off, others might do the same. I want to set a good example.”
His approach to work is straightforward: Make life easier for everyone around you. “The world is tough enough as it is. Why make it harder for others? Let’s be kind and do good—it makes work better and easier for everyone.”
Safety is a habit
In Cedric’s six years with APS, it’s not the awards or recognition he’s most proud of, but how he has lived by his principles.
“I never expected awards or promotions,” he shares. “I just do the right thing, even when no one is looking.” And it is evident that Cedric’s integrity runs deep. As a proud SATS PCEO Safety Excellence Awardee, he offers a nugget of wisdom: Safety isn’t something you switch on and off. It’s about building habits.
“Follow the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) from day one. When you’ve always done the right thing, it becomes a habit. And when safety is a habit, you don’t even have to think about it—it’s automatic,” he expounds.
For Cedric, safety is more than a poster on the wall—it's second nature.