Air Peace, British Airways, KLM, Delta others Assessed equally on Safety Standards- IATA
IATA
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, has been recognised by the International Air Transport Association for meeting the same rigorous safety standards as British Airways, KLM, and Delta Airlines.
This achievement marks Air Peace’s sixth consecutive International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit IOSA certification, showcasing its commitment to safety and operational excellence.
IATA’s Area Manager for West and Central Africa, Dr Samson Fatokun, praised Air Peace’s dedication, highlighting its significant role in elevating African aviation standards.
Fatokun said, “The standards that are given are the same as the British Airways, KLM, Delta. They are all assessed the same way. Findings done here is the same over there as well, that makes you stand at par with other airlines in the world when it comes to safety.”
However, the IATA helmsman glorified Air Peace for passing through the rigorous audit process which is a clear demonstration of process managers’ exceptional expertise and dedication, stating “When you’re an airline in the first world, people expect you to do things and work but when you come from Africa, they expect you to do more, but when you come from Nigeria, the expectations are immense.”
He thereby commended Air Peace for being the pride of Nigeria while noting the airline’s remarkable achievements in just a decade of its operations, insisting that it is not a mere fluke.
“Air Peace’s presence on the IOSA registry is a testament to its unwavering dedication to safety, operational excellence, and professionalism. This milestone is not just a victory for the airline but a pride for Nigeria. It highlights that local carriers can operate at the highest international safety levels,” he added.
The IATA boss whose organisation represents some 340 airlines over 80% of global traffic and support many areas of aviation activity and help formulate industry policy on critical aviation issue explained that safety is the number one priority.
He added, “The measurement of that safety is not only in not having accidents, but in the process that have been certified to working safely with processes, following standard recognized practices that have been certified by external auditors that cannot be corrupted, and are globally recognized”.
An IATA certification means your business follows airline carrier rules. Airline’s safety records largely inform people’s decision to fly a particular airline.
“Some people are very careful of the aircraft they step into, and safety records inform peoples decisions”, Dr. Fatokun said. He warned that ISOA is not something one takes with levity. “It is tough, we keep on improving it, not to make it difficult but to make it adaptable and it isn’t easy.
“Safety is not cheap, accidents are costlier but with the right investment safety can be guaranteed.”
However, the sixth IOSA certification is described to be a major achievement for Air Peace, reflecting its deep-rooted safety culture, robust management systems, and commitment to continuous improvement.
It sets a new benchmark for safety in African aviation and inspires other carriers across the continent to strive for similar excellence.
