Airline gets IOSA certificate

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has formally presented FirstNation Airways with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Certificate.

The certificate was presented to the airline's Director of Flight Operations, Capt. Chimara Imediegwu on Friday by IATA's Area Manager, South West Africa, Mr Samson Fatokun in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IOSA programme is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.

Created by IATA in 2003, IOSA uses internationally recognised quality audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a standardised and consistent manner.

With the presentation, FirstNation Airways has now joined Arik Air and Aero Contractors as the only IOSA certified airlines operating in Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, Imediegwu said the process of certification began in January 2014 when the airline received a request to enroll for the programme.

He said this was in line with the Abuja Declaration of 2012 that all African airlines should complete their IOSA certification by December 2015 towards enhancing air safety in the continent.

According to him, out of the 10 airlines chosen to undergo the certification, FirstNation Airways was the first to complete the process.

Imediegwu thanked the staff of FirstNation and its customers for the support and patronage, stressing that the airline would not relent in its quest to enhance safety.

Congratulating FirstNation for achieving the feat, Fatokun said many airlines which started the programme could not complete it due to its rigorous nature.

He said:"It is a thing of joy for any airline on this part of the globe to be on IOSA register.

"That means you are operating on the same level of safety with other globally known airlines on the IOSA register.

"It takes a lot of hard work to be able to go through the process. So, we want to congratulate the FirstNation management and staff for achieving this IOSA certification."

Fatokun urged the airline not to relent on its oars because the register was reviewed by IATA every two years.

He said they should work assiduously to remain in the register and strive to become formally registered with IATA.

According to him, this will enable the airline to play on a global level and be an example to other African airlines.