Emerging leaders in Nigerian domestic aviation sector, Air Peace, has gained entry into the prestigious registry of the International Air Transport Association’s Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). This was recorded after completion of its safety audit and found compliant with all global standards.
Analysts say the certification has qualified Air Peace to be a member of International Air Transport Association (IATA), a window to hit the international market.
The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) programme is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. IOSA certificate is valid for two years.
Already, the airline has applied for partnership with a leading alliance network to commence operations into several countries where Nigeria has Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).
During the presentation of the IOSA certificate to the airline recently, IATA Area Manager, West Africa, Dr. Samson Fatokun, hailed Air Peace for scaling the huddles of certification.
He noted that “Today, we are pleased to present the IOSA certificate to Air Peace, meaning that they have met all the requirements and complied with all safety standards and practices in their operations”.
“It is a very good and big achievement. It takes a very rigorous system to actualise it. It is important to get the certification and it is equally important to stay there (certified). It is valid for two years, make sure you stay there.”
“Such certification makes all to know that the aircraft management and maintenance are safe. It gives the passengers more assurance and confidence. Next, Air Peace will move to e- IOSA (enhanced IOSA) where the quality assurance will be monitored on a daily basis.”
In his response, Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Allen Onyema, thanked the IATA team for the certificate and hinted fresh moves by Air Peace discussing with some foreign airlines for codeshare arrangement.
According to him, “I travelled four days ago because of code-share. We are not afraid of codeshare with any reputable airline. Most foreign airlines are now eager to do business with us. They want to work with Air Peace”.
Continuing, he thanked the federal government “for giving us six destinations they gave us and I will not disappoint them. With IOSA, most reputable airlines will be willing to partner with us. We want to serve Nigerians better. We will encourage interlining and code-share which will be done.”
