Aviation safety: What is the IASA program?

Donna Foulis Date published: Apr 30, 24

IASA stands for International Aviation Safety Assessment and it’s a program run by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure the safety expectations of the public are met during air travel. This program is key for air carriers flying into the US, or those that code share with any US air carrier. Read on to find out the purpose of IASA, why it’s important and the eight critical elements that it covers.

What is the purpose of the IASA program?

The purpose of the IASA program is to ensure that the safety standards outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are being met for airlines operating in the US. Essentially, it provides a universal set of standards that all relevant international airlines must adhere to. The overall mission by the FAA in facilitating this program is to provide the public with the world’s safest and most efficient aerospace system possible.

What is ICAO?

ICAO stands for the International Civil Aviation Organization. They are a United Nations agency which was established in 1944, representing 193 countries worldwide to facilitate smooth collaboration in navigating air travel. Their vision is to: “achieve the sustainable growth of the global civil aviation system”, focusing on consistently safe skies for everyone.

ICAO’s eight critical elements of aviation safety

All aviation operations under IASA must meet an international minimum standard. While different states or regions might have their own set of standards and regulations to follow, all participating states in the program are expected to collaborate to form a level of standardization across the scope of the IASA program.

One of the key points to note about IASA is that the FAA doesn’t look at individual air carriers, but the ability of a country overall to the meet the required safety standards. While the FAA provide more detailed assessment criteria which looks at the in-country performance on their website, the eight critical elements that form the basis of the IASA program are:

1. Primary aviation legislation: This takes into account an individual state’s national laws and regulations and how that relates to aircrafts engaged in international navigation while flying into or departing from a particular state. Provisions should be made for a civil aviation authority (CAA) to regulate and oversee these activities.
2. Specific operating regulations: Minimum requirements should be met by all contracting states, no matter their size or the complexity of their aviation activities. They should develop relevant regulatory rules to ensure that an acceptable level of compliance is being met to uphold safety standards.
3. State civil aviation system and safety oversight functions: To ensure a state meets its civil aviation obligations, it needs a well-structured civil aviation system. This system should meet any national legislation requirements and be equipped with the right resources and authority. This includes creating an organizational structure with qualified personnel, including technical and support staff. The system should also prioritize strong management practices, clear communication channels and consistent standardization across its operations.
4. Technical personnel qualification and training: Any technical personnel appointed must be highly qualified to carry out their roles and be responsible for all aspects of safety oversight. This includes the different stages from evaluation to carrying out inspections, analysing results and intervening if necessary. Any training should be funded and provided by the individual state on an ongoing basis as needed.
5. Technical guidance, tools and the provision of safety critical information: Appropriate guidance material should be provided to personnel to outline the processes and procedures for carrying out their duties. This should map out how their work aligns with relevant national legislation to ensure compliance. In addition, the correct licencing and certificates should be provided to the necessary staff members, the organization as a whole and individual aircrafts.
6. Licensing, certification, authorization and approval obligations: Appropriate licencing and certificates should be provided to anyone involved in international air navigation, including technical staff. They should also be provided to the organization as a whole and individual aircrafts to demonstrate their airworthiness.
7. Surveillance obligations: Each participating state is required to create a system to ensure that operations are being carried out safely, including routinely revising the competency of individual personnel, and any licenses or relevant documentation. Inspections should be carried out on a regular basis to ensure compliance.
8. Resolution of safety concerns: An effective safety oversight system must be in place to resolve any non-conformances or issues that come up. The relevant technical expert should advise on the actions that need to be taken in the event of a failed inspection report, or safety standards not being met sufficiently. Corrective actions must be planned with appropriate deadlines to address any issues, including follow up actions to measure the effectiveness of the actions.

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