China Southern Airlines Passes IOSA Audit

China Southern Airlines has received official confirmation of Registration under the IATA Operational Safety Audit, or IOSA.

China Southern began its quest for its IOSA Registration in April of this year and the IOSA Standards covered all of the airline’s national, regional and International operations.

At a ceremony held in Guangzhou last week, China Southern received the official IOSA Registration Certificate with Mr. Si Xianmin, President, China Southern Airlines on hand to receive the official registration from IATA.

“We are pleased and honored to accept this official IOSA Certificate. This International Standard is important throughout the Chinese aviation industry as a universal standard on operational and safety standards. Everyone at China Southern is honored to achieve this audit standard for flight safety,” said Mr. Si.

IOSA is the first Internationally accepted operational safety audit standard and process, defining a clear benchmark for airlines on multiple aspects of safety, security, operations and control.

All 250 IATA members have committed to seeking an IOSA audit by December 2006. IOSA is also mandatory for all SkyTeam alliance members. China Southern Airlines signed its GAAAA agreement to become a full member of the SkyTeam Alliance which is scheduled for the latter half of 2007. The IOSA audit is renewed every two years. 

China Southern Airlines’ IOSA Audit was completed by Melbourne-based Aviation Compliance Solutions (ACS). ACS is improving China’s air safety by providing services designed to assist aviation companies to comply with strict regulations and safety standards governing their operations. Set up three and a half years ago by former Ansett staff, ACS is one of only eight audit organizations accredited by IATA to conduct aviation operational safety audits for airlines. Their audits cover areas such as flight operations, safety management, aircraft maintenance, cabin safety, cargo and ground handling, flight planning and security.

Airlines that successfully complete an IOSA audit will be listed as IOSA Operators on an exclusive IOSA Registry, set up and maintained by IATA. Once Registered, IOSA Operators will be required to satisfy the requirements of an IOSA audit once every two years to remain on the IOSA Registry.

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