Universal Aviation UK at London Stansted has achieved Stage III accreditation under the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH), the highest level of safety and ground handling recognition in business aviation.

With this achievement, Universal Aviation London-Stansted joins the fewer than 10 per cent of IS-BAH-registered ground handlers worldwide to reach this elite status. Universal Aviation UK first earned Stage I IS-BAH accreditation in 2017, followed by Stage II in 2021.

“Since we began our IS-BAH journey in 2017, our focus has always been on building a culture of continuous improvement,” says Sean Raftery, MD of Universal Aviation UK and Ireland. “Earning Stage III accreditation is a reflection of the high standards our team holds itself to every day. It’s not just about meeting global benchmarks, it’s about setting them through consistent safety, service and professionalism. That dedication is continually reflected in our Stansted location consistently being ranked among the top FBOs in the world year after year.”

IS-BAH is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers, which features at its core an SMS. The IS-BAH follows the structure of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) programme and incorporates the NATA Safety 1st ground audit programme. IS-BAH is the global industry standard for handlers and operators around the world to meet the coming SMS requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Universal Aviation, the ground support division of Universal Weather and Aviation, has more than 70 locations in 25 countries.