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The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Program is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.
The IOSA audit creates a standard that is comparable on a world-wide basis, enabling and maximizing the joint use of audit reports. This has saved the industry over 6,400 redundant audits and continues to lead to extensive cost-savings for IOSA participating airlines. All IATA members are IOSA registered and must remain registered to maintain IATA membership.
IOSA and the Risk-Based Approach
In 2024, IOSA transitioned into a risk-based model, focusing on safety risks, specific to the auditee, rather than applying a "one-size-fits-all" approach. IOSA now delivers an audit scope that will be tailored for each airline. Furthermore, the new approach introduces a maturity assessment of the airline's safety-critical systems and programs.
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Our vision is to make IOSA the leading operational safety audit program in an accident-free world
IOSA Strategic Pillars
Safety
- Improve global safety levels
- Lead operational safety standard
- Support implementation of SMS
- Adopt applicable ICAO safety requirements
Effectiveness
- Minimize the number of redundant audits
- Continuously improve effectiveness of IOSA program
- Build a robust audit program infrastructure
- Seek opportunities to simplify the program processes
Integrity
- Protect and promote the integrity of the IOSA program
- Apply and continuously strengthen control over audit processes
- Continue to meet IATA strategic objectives
- Exercise effective oversight over audit program
Benefits for Airlines and Regulators
- Quality audit program under stewardship of IATA
- Continuous updating of standards to reflect regulatory revisions and best practices
- Elimination of audit redundancy, reducing costs and audit resource requirements
- Structured audit methodology, standardized checklists
IOSA Program
IOSA Registry
Check out the IOSA Registry with over 450 registered airlines on the IATA Connect platform.
IOSA Documentation
Find all the documentation related to the implementation and renewal of your IOSA audit.
Need Additional Information?
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at iosa@iata.org
Got feedback? Connect with our Safety Quality and Compliance team at CR-OSS@iata.org.
Join the IOSA Auditor pool! We are recruiting Flight Operations Auditors
We are actively recruiting IOSA Flight Operations Auditors based in the Americas and Asia/Pacific regions to join our pool of auditors. This is your opportunity to make a significant impact on air travel safety, work in a dynamic international environment, and contribute to a culture of safety excellence that millions of passengers depend on every day. To learn more about the process to qualify as an IOSA Auditor, please view the Auditor Information Sheet.
If you are detail-oriented, passionate about aviation, have the right experience and are ready to take your career to new heights, we want to hear from you!
Minimum Qualifications to Apply for a Flight Operations Auditor
Core Aviation Experience
- ATPL holder with 5 years as a pilot on transport category aircraft (MTOW > 5,700 kg) within the last 10 years.
Flight Operations Experience (minimum 2 years in one or more):
- Flight operations management for an operator using transport category aircraft;
- Pilot instructor/evaluator (aircraft or simulator);
- Airline flight operations inspector for a National Aviation Authority;
- Flight operational quality or safety auditor.
Auditor Certification & Training
- Current certification as quality/lead/aerospace auditor or completion of auditor training (classroom format per IPM 3.2.2);
- Completion of aviation-based SMS training from a recognized provider (ICAO SMS Framework).
Audit Experience
- Minimum 10 aviation audits in IOSA scope (Operations, QMS, SMS, Regulatory Compliance, or Operational Safety);
- At least one audit within the last 24 months
Minimum Availability
- Available to conduct a minimum of 3 audits per calendar year
Desired Qualifications
- Operated as Pilot in Command on transport category aircraft (MTOW above 5700 kg) for at least 1 year
- Simulator operating experience as a full flight (dynamic) simulator pilot instructor, or pilot-evaluator on transport category aircraft with MTOW above 5700 kgs in support of airline operations
If you meet or exceed the prerequisite qualifications outlined above, we invite you to submit your application by completing the following Microsoft Forms link: IOSA Flight Auditor Application – Fill out form
Following the review of your responses, candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted directly by a member of the IATA team.
Thank you for your interest in becoming an IOSA Flight Operations Auditor.