Las Vegas-headquartered Part 135 Thrive Aviation has been recognised by ARGUS as a Platinum operator, which places it in the upper five per cent of over 1,000 US-based charter operators. The Platinum rating is a higher level in the ARGUS audit standard and is awarded only to those air charter operators that have demonstrated successful implementation of industry best safety practices regarding their operations and maintenance.

Achieving ARGUS Platinum rating is a testament to the aviation community that safety is Thrive's top priority. The rating consists of an audit that takes an in-depth look into the quality of documented processes in addition to the strength of the safety management system implemented by the operator. Receiving a Platinum rating means the operation was examined over several days by a team of on-site auditors and subsequently completed any corrective actions necessary to meet the standard.

Brian Harlan, director of safety, is the driving force behind this audit and is responsible for keeping Thrive's safety standards and a safety-first mentality at the core of the operation. "For Thrive, operating safely isn't just something we do; it's the foundation upon which all our values and operations are built and it's an integral part of what makes Thrive Aviation successful. Maintaining our ARGUS Platinum rating and simultaneously advancing our IS-BAO rating are key milestones that recognise and showcase the hard work and dedication that our teams bring to the table day-in and day-out to make Thrive one of the industry's top operators," he says.

"From its first Platinum audit two years ago, Thrive Aviation showed a commitment to industry best practices and a continuously improving safety culture that we most often associate with larger operators. It has put together a highly qualified team that draws from years of experience in both the corporate aviation and airline worlds. We are happy to count Thrive Aviation among our Platinum operators," says Mike McCready, ARGUS International president.