ABX AIR EARNS IOSA CERTIFICATION
Operational Safety Audit Internationally Recognized
WILMINGTON, OH - November 6, 2008 - By earning the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Operational Safety certification, ABX Air joins the ranks of airlines worldwide that have achieved a level of excellence in safety and standardization. IOSA is a globally recognized safety certification often used by international businesses to determine if vendors meet their safety and operational standards.
"With our business opportunities expanding and our operations overseas, this certification is important," said Bob Gray, Vice President of Regulatory Compliance and Government Affairs for ABX Air. "We know we run a great airline, and this audit from outside experts validates that for us. We are pleased to have successfully completed this process and to have this certification."
"The audit is an in-depth look at the practices and standards of the airline with the end goal of meeting a common, worldwide standard for safety in everything we do," according to Captain Jim Hobart, ABX Air Team Leader and Manager of Flight Safety Programs.
A team of IOSA Certified Auditors spent days examining ABX Air during October of 2007. They examined every operational aspect of the airline including flight operations, maintenance operations and management practices. They rode along on ABX Air flights, evaluated security, observed aircraft loading and reviewed many of the manuals during their weeklong visit.
"The IOSA audit team was very complimentary of what they saw," said Gray. "It is impossible to run a perfect airline, however we know we run a very good one. Both the number of findings (things needing fixed before we could receive the certification) and the number of observations (suggestions of items to pursue) were very low compared to the average airline seeking first-time certification."
All the findings and many of the observations were corrected within a month following the audit.
Employees representing Aircraft Maintenance, Flight operations and Administration were on the ABX Air team that met with the IOSA audit team.
In the past five years, the IATA has conducted over 570 audits and has 214 airlines on the IOSA Registry. Recertification is required every two years.
ABX Air is an air cargo services provider operating out of Wilmington, Ohio, and 15 hubs throughout the United States. In addition to providing airlift capacity and sort facility staffing to DHL, ABX Air is a Part 121 operator and holds a Part 145 FAA Repair certificate. It provides charter, maintenance and package handling services to a diverse group of customers. ABX Air is the largest employer in a several-county area in southwestern Ohio. ABX Air, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATSG).
Contact:
Beth Huber
ABX Air, Inc.
Tel: 937-366-2536
beth.huber@abxair.com