What is the purpose of conducting regular safety audits in aviation?

Conducting regular safety audits in aviation is essential primarily to identify and address potential safety issues. These audits involve a thorough examination of all safety-related activities and protocols to ensure they meet established standards and regulations. The processes aim to uncover vulnerabilities in operational procedures, maintenance practices, and employee training, which can directly impact the safety of flight operations. By identifying these potential safety issues early on, aviation organizations can implement corrective measures, thereby significantly enhancing overall safety performance and preventing accidents or incidents.

While other options relate to important aspects of aviation operations, they do not focus on the primary intent of regular safety audits. Compliance with environmental regulations, monitoring employee performance ratings, and assessing the financial viability of flight routes serve different purposes and objectives within the aviation sector. These may be critical in their own contexts, but they do not specifically address the primary goal of maintaining and improving safety standards, which is the core function of safety audits.