Etihad Airways awarded maximum marks in international industry safety assessment

During the week-long evaluation a team of 28 Etihad managers impressed IATA auditors with the Abu Dhabi-based airline's compliance with all of the necessary IATA standards.

"Safety and quality have always been Etihad's number one priority, and we are pleased to have achieved the IOSA standard well in advance of the 2008 IATA mandate," said Dr. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, chairman, Etihad Airways.

"Every Etihad department audited has been praised for performing to the highest levels. This is the most impressive recognition of the success of what we have built in such a short period of time."

IOSA is considered the top industry assessment because it is the only recognized global airline standard that examines eight operational and safety disciplines.

These areas include: corporate organisation and management systems, flight operations area, operational control and flight dispatch area, aircraft engineering and maintenance area, operational security areas and many more.

"I am very proud of what these departments have achieved and look forward to working with them as we grow together in the months to come," added Geert W. Boven, who was Acting CEO for 5 months and has now resumed his original designation as VP Commercial.

To achieve the IOSA recognition, Etihad was assessed and passed more than 750 individual standards and recommended practices.