NetJets Europe has become the first fractional-ownership provider to pass the International Air Transport Association's operations safety audit (IOSA). It is also the first solely business-jet operator to be certificated, and one of only 14 organisations in Europe and 32 worldwide to receive IOSA approval so far, the company says.
Certification to the IOSA standard "developed by airlines for airlines" proves that "organised business-jet operations can meet the standards of an airline", says NetJets Europe chief operating officer Dave Marcus. He believes the successful audit, conducted for IATA by Aviation Quality Services, "raises the bar for safety industry-wide".
NetJets Europe expects to grow significantly this year, with its fleet increasing from 64 to 94 aircraft, including the addition of 10 Hawker 400XP light jets. This month it took delivery of the first of three Gulfstream G550s for its new long-range programme, with the second arriving in October and the third early next year. "I am confident we will take further aircraft in 2006," says Marcus.
Source: Flight International
