Ibom Air closer to IATA membership after  IOSA safety certification

By Business A.M. 

• Certification highlights airline’s commitment to safety in the aviation industry.

Nigeria’s Ibom Air has achieved the global industry safety standard and received its Operational Safety Audit Certificate on Wednesday, April 12. This assures the airline’s safety commitment and brings it one step closer to full IATA membership, according to a monitored report by Simple Flying.com.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) formally presented Ibom Airlines Limited with the certification, a condition for all IATA members. The airline commenced operations about three years ago, and this achievement is essential for continual growth and its industry aspirations, per Simple Flying.com.

Achieving the global industry standard

The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is a global industry standard for safety auditing, and certification is an excellent achievement for any airline. The Ibom Air management team, led by chief executive officer, Mfon Udom, received the certificate at the airline’s headquarters in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state, Nigeria.

Also present was Ibom Air’s chief operating officer, George Uriesi. Samson Fatokun, area manager, West and Central Africa, and Jennifer Aisha Yeates, assistant director of operations safety and security, West and Central Africa, represented IATA.

George Uriesi commended the Ibom [Air] team for the landmark achievement. He expressed the management’s appreciation for the essential work of the staff to make the carrier a world-class regional airline, which is one of its most important goals. Uriesi [also] said at the presentation:

“Ibom Air’s achievement of the IOSA Certification at this time is very much in line with our continental aspirations as we move to position our airline strongly on the African continent. Our strategy to spread our wings across Africa includes establishing multiple interline agreements and excellent cooperation with partner airlines. Being IOSA certified is a prerequisite for this.”

The certification expresses the airline’s commitment to safety in the aviation industry. It is an essential milestone for Ibom [Air] and highlights its safety standards. With this, the carrier can deliver its mission of building a safe, service-focused, and profitable organisation, per Simple Flying.com.

IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)

For 20 years, IOSA has become the industry benchmark in safety auditing, enhancing safety performance, and providing extensive cost-saving measures for participating airlines. The programme is vital for airlines as it is a condition for IATA membership.

The industry body continues to develop the IOSA Standards and Recommended Practices (ISARPs) in cooperation with industry partners. It uses internationally recognized quality auditing concepts to analyse an airline’s operational management and safety controls for consistent certification.

This has made IOSA the worldwide standard for airline safety and operational evaluation. The audit of Ibom Air was conducted in the second half of 2022, about three years since its regional service commenced. The safety achievement was credited to the quality and safety team led by Edem Essien, an engineer.

The Akwa Ibom State government wholly owns Ibom Air, which is focused on delivering quality services in the West African region. With its fleet of five Bombardier CRJ 900s and two Airbus A320-300s, it operates flights to seven destinations on nine routes. With schedule reliability, on-time departures, and IOSA certification, it hopes to become the airline of choice for passengers.