Alaska Airlines Completes International Safety Audit

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Nov 09, 2015, 02:46 ET

SEATTLE, Nov. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines today announced that it has successfully completed the International Air Transport Association's Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and has been renewed on the IOSA Registry. The airline has been on the registry for 10 years, since 2006.

"Alaska Airlines is focused on a culture of safety. Our top priority every day on every flight is to operate safely for our customers and our employees," said Alaska CEO Brad Tilden. "I'm proud of our 15,000 employees whose safety-centric focus has enabled Alaska to meet this internationally-recognized benchmark."

The IOSA program is a key element of the International Air Transport Association's efforts to promote global airline operational safety. To be on the IOSA Registry, an airline must satisfy more than 900 standards and recommended practices in its operational areas, including flight operations, operational control and dispatch, maintenance, cabin operations, ground handling, cargo operations and operational security.

The comprehensive week-long audit takes place every two years and is conducted by an independent organization accredited by the IATA.

Since its inception in 2003, the IOSA program has improved aviation safety worldwide by establishing a universally accepted set of safety standards. Preparing for and completing IOSA registration is a condition of membership in IATA, which represents 83 percent of global air traffic.

Alaska Airlines sister airline Horizon Air has also been listed on the registry since 2006.

Safety Over Speed
Last year Alaska and Horizon renewed their commitment to safety with the launch of "Ready, SAFE, Go," an internal program that encourages employees to put safety first and supports them in stopping any flight at any time if there is a safety concern.

"This program was launched to remind employees that safety needs to be at the forefront of everything we do," said Tom Nunn, the airline's vice president of safety. "It poses three questions to think about before beginning any task: Are you ready? Is everything safe? Only then, is it time to go."

Nunn said customers may notice "Ready, SAFE, Go" messages on company equipment at the airport.

"The "Ready, SAFE, Go" logo is emblazoned on safety vests, tugs and baggage carts as a constant reminder that safety trumps all other considerations at Alaska and Horizon including on-time performance and profits," said Nunn. "Every employee has the power to stop the operation if they have a safety concern."

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100 cities through an expansive network in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study for eight consecutive years from 2008 to 2015. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power 2014 and 2015 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit Alaska Airlines' newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines