David Learmount/LONDON
The "IATA" logo used in airline marketing may become a sign of quality and, particularly, safety - if an audit scheme proposed by the International Air Transport Association for applicant airlines goes ahead.
At present, although IATA has a standards scheme for approved travel agents, it does not have an equivalent for airline members.
Dubbed Operational Quality Standards, the audit will judge airlines against European Joint Aviation Authorities or International Standards Organisation criteria.
IATA says it will hire staff with suitable expertise, and expects the system to be in place by April. To start with, only applicants for IATA membership will be subject to audit. Candidates will be provided with the audit report and would have to rectify any shortcomings before acceptance.
In the longer run, IATA proposes that its existing member airlines should be subject to audit about every five years, but this will have to be put to the membership for approval. IATA director-general Pierre Jeanniot has been working to raise the profile of safety with member airlines.
Source: Flight International
