Is air travel (fixed or rotary) safe - yes, compared to most other forms of transport.
Are cost cutting measures being implemented by operators - Oh yes. Has the standard of maintenance reduced - yes.
Do passengers on aircraft consider pilots to be less well trained - yes. But the same can be said for bus drivers, truck drivers and the general standard of driving on our roads.
Can we improve all these standards, maintenance and safety - of course. Are the companies involved and Government willing to open their chequebooks? It appears not.