Orlando, Florida-based private jet charter and management company Alerion Aviation has been awarded the Platinum Elite designation by ARGUS International, one of just four air carriers worldwide to achieve this significant milestone.

Platinum Elite is the aviation industry's first continuous monitoring safety evaluation system. As the worldwide leader in specialised aviation services, ARGUS helps organisations improve their operational and business decision-making practices. The ARGUS Platinum Elite rating signifies that the highest levels of dedication to world-class safety standards are met and provides customers with increased visibility and peace of mind when it comes to selecting a provider for private jet travel.

For Alerion, the rating represents validation of continuous adherence to the highest standards by the organisation. Alerion clients and employees now have validation of the commitment to operating to the highest levels of safety and operational processes, not just during biannual audits, but continuously. This also allows Alerion to combine its data and experience with other great operators and ARGUS to collectively propel business aviation standards to the highest sustainable levels.

“We are committed to the highest standards of operational safety for our customers and industry partners. We are extremely proud to be partnered with ARGUS and its 25 years of leadership in benchmarking operating standards,” says Alerion CEO Bob Seidel.

ARGUS launched Platinum Elite at NBAA-BACE last year, have signed up US operators Jet Linx, Alerion Aviation and N-Jets as beta testers who helped refine the programme, preparing it to open up to other operations. Now Indiana-based Part 135 Image Air Charter joins this elite group.

"We are pleased to welcome Image Air Charter to the ranks of ARGUS Platinum Elite operators after successfully completing two consecutive Platinum audits. Its participation in the Elite programme's continuous monitoring process demonstrates a commitment to achieving even higher levels of safety and quality in Image Air's operation. We look forward to a productive ongoing relationship with it," says ARGUS standards manager Patrick Chiles.

Each of these four operators has achieved not only ARGUS Gold but a minimum of two cycles of the ARGUS Platinum rating to be eligible for the Platinum Elite continuous monitoring programme.

Platinum Elite is an industry-changing programme available to select ARGUS Platinum rated operators. The programme features real-time operation safety performance monitoring and timely visibility to significant operator changes. While traditional audit programmes require audits every two years, Platinum Elite offers continual evaluation.