daniel chigunwe
Business Writer
FASTJET Zimbabwe has secured the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit registration, confirming the airline’s adherence to highest operational and safety standards in the aviation sector.
IATA is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 330 airlines over 80 percent of global air traffic.
The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) programme is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.
Fastjet said in a statement that its IOSA certification acknowledges the airline’s conformance and adherence to the highest operational and safety standards in the aviation industry.
Fastjet has been working towards IOSA registration as part of its vision to achieve international recognition in upholding globally recognized safety and quality standards.
It said the registration is a testament to the unwavering dedication to delivering a trustworthy and safe travel experience.
Fastjet Zimbabwe spokesperson Nunurai Ndawana said their IOSA registration also solidifies the airline’s standing as a dependable partner for global airlines and opens the door to exciting new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
“Obtaining the IOSA registration is a significant milestone for our company, which is a testament of our commitment to safety and continuous improvement of our operations.
“We take great pride in our team, whose expertise and relentless effort have allowed us to meet the rigorous requirements set by IOSA,” he said.
Administered by IATA, the IOSA programme was created in 2003 to assess the operational management and control systems of airlines.
The IOSA certification is recognised worldwide as the highest benchmark for airline operational safety, and the assessment encompassed a comprehensive evaluation of Fastjet’s management systems and operational procedures across key areas, including flight operations, maintenance, engineering, and ground operations.
Fastjet is a multi-award-winning African airline that began flight operations in 2012.
The airline’s awards include World Travel Awards in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 2020, 2021 and 2022 — Skytrax World Airline Awards in 2017 and 2019, and in the top ten finalists for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
To date, the airline connects three major cities in Zimbabwe flying between Harare and Victoria Falls, as well as between Harare and Bulawayo.
In addition, the airline offers international flights from Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls to Johannesburg in South Africa and from Victoria Falls to Mbombela (Kruger) Nelspruit Mpumalanga in South Africa.
Since commencing operations, Fastjet has flown over four million passengers and has established itself as a reliable African airline brand, with a range of value-added products and services.
Bongani Ndlovu