Flight services and ground handler Saudia Private Aviation (SPA) has achieved Stage I registration for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO).

SPA manager of product and FBO services Mohammed Sindi says: “We are truly very proud to have registered as an IS-BAO operator and reach Stage I with our safety management system. We worked hard for months to make sure all standards were met, although SPA was already very well established to such a degree that it made the execution easier. We are creating a culture that continually strives to make operations safer by identifying areas where better risk management can be achieved.”

General manager of commercial and services Osama Alahdal adds: “Our achievement of IS-BAO Stage i is a valuable tool that will help us foster trust, safety and professionalism, boost the quality of our work further and help communicate our high standards to our clients."

The IS-BAO is developed by the International Business Aviation Council and its member associations and is a recommended voluntary code of best practices designed to help both fixed and rotor wing flight operations achieve high levels of safety and professionalism in their operations around the world. IS-BAO is a safety standard recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, in its Doc 10004, Global Safety Plan. Stage I confirms that the SMS infrastructure is established and that safety management activities are appropriately targeted.

The SPA operation chose IS-BAO's new FlightPlan Stage I package to facilitate this achievement. This includes a special credentialled implementor to streamline the pre-audit process and simplify the pathway to IS-BAO Stage I.

“The entire SPA organisation should be very proud of this achievement,” says IS-BAO director Andrew Karas. “As a voluntary international standard, it represents a commitment to safety, and we look forward to working with it on their journey to the next stage.”

SPA runs the largest private aviation terminal (FBO) in Jeddah, where it is headquartered. The company has lounges and a presence across the major cities of Saudi Arabia at Riyadh, Dammam, Medina and NEOM.

In addition to IS-BAO, SPA has already achieved GACAR (General Authority of Civil Aviation Regulation) Part 121, GACAR Part 151 for Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH), IS-BAH Stage1 for JED and RUH, EASA, and has started the process to obtain GACAR Part 145 and GACAR Part 125.