Comlux the Aviation Group said that the Central Asia branch of its VIP airline division, Comlux KZ, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, has been registered in Iata Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) registry.

The programme extends the benefits of operational safety and efficiency of the Iata Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) to the commercial operators which are not in an Iata Audit registry.

With three aircraft today in operation - two Legacy 650 and one Challenger 850 - Comlux KZ is the first airline in the world to successfully complete the ISSA audit process. 

The news was revealed as the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (Ebace), got under way today in Geneva, Switzerland.

Jordan Karamalakov, the International Air Transport Association’s (Iata) Regional Manager in Kazakhstan, says: “IOSA has helped about 400 airlines worldwide to improve their operational safety performance and to reduce the number of redundant audits in the industry. However, there are hundreds of operators which operate aircraft under the 5,700 kg threshold or their business model does not allow conformity with other IOSA requirements. 

“Therefore our association is launching the Iata Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA), which enables the industry to address the need for a global operational safety standard for operators that are not eligible for IOSA. The fact that Comlux KZ is the first airline in the world which receives ISSA registration is very important for the airline industry of Kazakhstan. By this Comlux KZ demonstrated that any carrier from Kazakhstan can be prepared for a robust audit and ready to prove conformance with internationally recognized safety standards.”

“We are extremely proud to become the first operator in the world to become ISSA registered,” says Irina Pay, Chief Operating Officer Comlux KZ and Comlux Malta. “During the audit, our teams have worked closely with IATA representatives on both the central and regional level. The ISSA registration combined with the development of our SMS both assist us in enhancing the operational safety of our VIP flight operations around the world.”

Headquartered in Switzerland, Comlux The Aviation Group specialises in VIP aviation services operating worldwide. Beyond VIP charter operations, Comlux offers a comprehensive set of services to VIP customers who wish to have their own aircraft managed personally and professionally. This includes exclusive aircraft management, sales and acquisitions, cabin design and completion as well as maintenance and engineering services.

Now in its 15^th edition, Ebace is being held at the Palexpo centre in Geneva until May 21.