Air Peace gets IOSA certificate

Leading domestic carrier, Air Peace has been granted the International Organisation Safety Assessment (IOSA) certificate issued by the International Airlines Transport Association (IATA).

The certificate was presented to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Mr. Allen Onyema, at the company’s headquarters located at Sobo Arobiodu in Ikeja GRA, Lagos on Tuesday.

Speaking before the presentation of the certification, IATA Area Manager for West Africa, Dr. Samson Fatokun, applauded Air Peace for their ability to pass all the huddles, adding that such feat is rare.

Dr. Fatokun, who presented the IOSA certificate, informed that by the end of 2017, all African airlines will be on IOSA registry, adding that it requires perfect support of the CEO of the airline.

Today, we are pleased to present the certificate to Air Peace, meaning that they have met the requirements. Air Peace has meet up the safety standards of other airlines in advanced countries. I congratulate the organisation”, Fatokun said.

Stressing that it takes a very rigorous system to actualise IOSA standard, Fatokun added “It is a very good and big achievement, it takes a very rigorous system to actualise it. We are encouraging you to stay there. Getting it is one thing and staying there is another thing. It is valid for two years; make sure you stay up there”.

Reeling out the importance of IOSA certificate, the IATA representative said that it gives the airline opportunity to tell others that safety is important. It also gives people who want to do business with the airline to be assured that the level of safety required is there.

“Such certificate makes all know that the aircraft management and maintenance are safe. It gives the passengers more assurance and confidence. Air Peace needs to keep it because the requirements keep changing. Air Peace will move to enhanced IOSA whereby the quality assurance are being monitored on daily bases”.

In his response, Onyema thanked the IATA representatives, adding that this is the first time an airline could achieve such feat within a period of two and half years.

The CEO said: “I am very proud for what God has done. I thank the passengers. We are happy and I am short of words. We have got what many airlines in Nigeria and Africa could not get. It shows that God is with us. Government should begin to believe that we will get it right in Nigeria. With Air Peace, Nigeria will get it right this time.

The year of airline falling apart after 10 years has passed. I run Air Peace like a passenger with phobia for flying. I want it to be so safe and we want top notch pilots, engineers and workers. We try to get everything right”.

With the IOSA certificate, Onyema said he is already making consultations with some foreign airlines for codeshare arrangements.

“I travelled four days ago because of codeshare. We are not afraid of codeshare with a reputable airline. Most foreign airlines are eager to do business with us. They want to work with Air Peace”.

Applauding the Federal Government, the CEO said: “I thank the government of President Muhammadu Buhari who gave us this six destinations 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 codeshare which will be done “.