Air Botswana has successfully gone through the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and adjudged qualified to become an IATA member, Sakhile Reiling, the Air Botswana General Manager has revealed.
The government underpinned airliner has been going through this audit since 2007, but failing to pass.
This is a significant achievement for the airline, which has been in operation since 1972.
“We are extremely pleased and terribly proud that our efforts to be fully compliant with these international safety standards have been recognised,” said Reiling.
The IOSA programme is recognised worldwide and accepted as the main evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.
The audit itself determines the level of conformity that an airline has with IOSA standards, and permits an airline that meets all standards to become registered with IATA as an IOSA Operator.
Reiling said with the membership of IATA, Air Botswana will now take passengers beyond its destination through interlining with other airlines, which is enhanced by being a member of the international organisation.
The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is the benchmark for safety management in all airlines globally, and being compliant with the audit is a pre-requisite of IATA membership.
IOSA Registration is a matter of pride for the owners and management of the airline. The airline will remain on the IOSA registry until two years elapse when a further audit will be required to retain membership of IATA.
“The airline has embarked on an ambitious new strategy that will take it into the future and become a force to reckon with regionally and internationally,” said Reiling.
Being placed on the IOSA registry allows Botswana Airways to work closely with other major carriers in the region and elsewhere on code share and bilateral agreements to further extend the reach of the airline.
She said being an IATA member means Air Botswana will enjoy lower cost of doing business, on mandatory training and on using IATA structures, especially billing settlements. The airline will also participate in decision making and vote at IATA forums.
“Air Botswana will work hard to maintain highest levels of compliance, safety, security, quality, customer service,” said Reiling.