For many years, the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) has been a globally recognized industry standard for promoting and ensuring airline operational safety. To conduct this assessment, IATA, in collaboration with its industry partners, continuously develops the IOSA Standards and Recommendations (ISARPs).

Today, airlines require an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) that focuses on individual areas of potential safety risk, rather than applying a “one-size-fits-all” approach. With the new risk-based approach, the scope of the audit is tailored to each airline. In addition, this new approach includes a maturity assessment of the airline’s safety-critical systems and programs.

This focus on relevant safety risks while maintaining safety levels increases audit effectiveness and contributes to the industry’s overall goal of reducing accidents.

As a member of an international audit team accompanied by an IATA representative, I was able to participate in the first two risk-based IOSAs in Europe as an auditor in the areas of flight operations, cabin and dispatch. This initial experience will help us to further adapt and expand the program.