Jet Access, a US full-service aviation management, charter, maintenance, FBO and aircraft brokerage provider, has achieved the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Progressive Stage 3 registration, in addition to maintaining an ARGUS Platinum Elite safety rating. This dual credential places Jet Access among an elite group; only an estimated 0.112 per cent of US Part 135 on-demand charter operators hold both designations simultaneously, placing Jet Access among just two aviation enterprises in the United States to achieve this level of recognition.

The IS-BAO is developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and its member associations as a recommended voluntary code of best practices designed to help flight operations achieve high levels of safety and professionalism in their operations around the world. IS-BAO is a safety standard distinctly recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in its Global Aviation Safety Plan.

This IS-BAO Progressive Stage 3 recognition verifies that Jet Access Aviation's safety management activities are fully integrated into the operator's business and that a positive safety culture is being sustained. The Progressive option is exclusively offered to Stage 3 operators that are looking to replace the traditional ‘once every few years’ audit with shorter, high-value quarterly check-ins and annual audits that support steady improvement and sustained progress.

New industry analysis places this dual achievement in rare company. Among 1,787 active US Part 135 certificate holders: 16 operators hold IS-BAO Progressive Stage 3 status; 26 operators hold Platinum Elite status; and only two operators hold both the IS-BAO Progressive Stage 3 and ARGUS Platinum Elite status, one of which is Jet Access.

ARGUS Platinum Elite evaluates operators against stringent safety, training and operational criteria, including annual on-site audits. Paired with IS-BAO Progressive Stage 3, which requires demonstration of a mature safety management system (SMS) integrated across flight, maintenance, ground handling and management, the combined credential represents the highest bar in operator safety standards.

“Achieving IS-BAO Progressive Stage 3 isn't just a milestone; it's validation of how Jet Access operates every day, at the highest level of safety and performance in the industry,” comments Quinn Ricker, CEO. “This is the most advanced stage of IS-BAO, and it reflects a culture where safety isn't simply managed, it's mastered, measured and relentlessly elevated. When you combine this with our other safety ratings, placing us in the top 0.112 per cent of US charter operators, the picture becomes undeniable, Jet Access isn't operating at the industry standard, we're defining it. Safety isn't an aspiration for us. It's the baseline we operate from, and the benchmark others are working to reach.”

Andrew Karas, director, IS-BAO programme at IBAC, adds: “Congratulations to the entire team at Jet Access Aviation; they should be very proud of this achievement. As a highly recognised and voluntary international standard, it represents their ongoing commitment to safety. The progressive option allows operators a choice of the auditing process, and for some this can provide additional inspiration for their continuous improvement journey with more touchpoints and insight over the same timeline.”

“Achieving IS-BAO Progressive Stage 3 reflects the strength of our safety management system and the discipline of our team in executing it every day. This level of achievement isn't simply about compliance; it demonstrates a mature, proactive safety culture where risk is continuously identified, managed and improved upon,” remarks Maria Kelly, vice president of safety, Jet Access. “Every member of our organisation plays an active role in that system. Through consistent evaluation, refinement and accountability, we don't just meet industry best practices; we operate beyond them and continue to raise the standard for others in business aviation.”