LONDON – Saudia Private Aviation, the business arm of Saudia Airlines, received the highest Business Aviation award, the IS-BAO.
IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) is a certification recognising excellence in providing business aviation services. IS-BAO is a term coined by International Business Aviation Council, and it is highly associated with companies, operating aircraft for charter with excellent operations.
Though having an IS-BAO is not legally binding, an unspoken rule of being a safe, efficient, competent, and professional operator. Despite not being legally binding, it is, however, recognised by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), under the Global Safety Plan of Document 10004. SPA is IS-BAO stage 1 qualified.
This means that Saudia’s business aviation arm has its SMS (Safety Management Structure) infrastructure clearly laid out, which is also in lieu of the requirements of IS-BAO.
“We are truly very proud to have registered as an IS-BAO operator and reach Stage 1 with our safety management system. We worked hard for months to make sure all standards were met, although SPA was already very well established to such a degree that it made the execution easier,” said Mr. Mohammed Sindi, Manager of Product and FBO Services for SPA.
He later on, added: “We are creating a culture that continually strives to make operations safer by identifying areas where better risk management can be achieved.”
Mr. Osama Alahdal, General Manager of Commercial and Services for SPA also further added, “Our achievement of IS-BAO Stage 1 is a valuable tool that will help us foster trust, safety and professionalism, boost the quality of our work further and help communicate our high standards to our clients.”
“The entire SPA organization should be very proud of this achievement,” commented Andrew Karas, Director of IS-BAO. “As a voluntary international standard, it represents their commitment to safety, and we look forward to working with them on their journey to the next stage.
SPA virtually dominates the entire landscape of business aviation in Saudi Arabia. SPA owns, runs and manages the country’s largest FBO (Fixed Based Operator) in Jeddah, its global headquarters.
Apart from having impressive facilities in Jeddah, it’s got lounges and facilities spread throughout the country, including the Kingdom’s capital, Riyadh, Dammam, Medina and NEOM.
SPA like many organisations are going through a transformation (a positive one). In line with the country’s vision of becoming a more progressive, foreign-oriented country, SPA expresses safety at its core standards.
The GACAR (General Authority of Civil Aviation Regulation, of Saudi Arabia), was recently awarded SPA PArt 121, Part 151 for its Jeddah and Riyadh operations, in addition to the awards recognised by IS-BAO. Moreover, SPA is also working towards obtaining Part 145, and Part 125 from GACAR.
Saudi Private Aviation Fleet is not to be confused with Saudia Royal Flight Division Fleet.
SPA operates, 6 Beechcraft Bonanza, 2 Dassault Falcon 900, 4 Dassault 7X, 6 Gulfstream GIV, and 6 Hawker 400XP. SPA, is open for public charter, while the Royal arm, is solely reserved for government contracts and members of the Saudi Royal household.
