After the evaluation carried out by an International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited Audit Organization, Avianca was again certified with IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration.

After verification of their compliance with more than 950 (obligatory) standards and recommended (optional) practices by an Audit Organization accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Avianca was again certified, for the fourth consecutive time, with the IOSA Registration.

This certification is awarded by IATA, the world aviation body, to airlines that meet the established policies and requirements for complete operational safety processes.

The scrutiny of the Colombian Carrier included a rigorous assessment of business processes that support air and ground operations, training, management of operational events and day to day care. Similarly, during this audit the implementation of the Operational Safety Management System, SMS, was assessed to ensure the systematic management of operational risks, which involved the review of 65 additional standards.

The President of the Airline, Fabio Villegas Ramirez, highlighted the Importance of the IOSA certification, affirming that: “Full compliance with the established requirements for obtaining the IOSA World Safety Registry, accredits the quality of the processes that support air operations, and shows the commitment and professionalism of the Avianca team to put safety as a prerequisite and at the forefront of all our actions. As members of the company we are delighted to be able to share the news of this recertification with our passengers and clients.”

This certification, which is valid for two years, is added to the certifications already awarded to Avianca by the Colombia Civil Aviation Authority, the European Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, and the United States Federal Aviation Administration, FAA among others.

IOSA Registry. The IATA IOSA Global Registration System was established in 2003, in response to the urgent need to standardize and improve the safety and quality standards of the worldwide air transport industry based on the requirement for standardized parameters for all airlines. The IOSA Standards and Recommended Practices have been established by a Committee of Experts constituted by the world’s most prestigious airlines and aviation authorities in the United States, Canada, the European Union, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and aircraft manufacturers. The IOSA Registry is often now a prerequisite for Codeshare Operational Agreements with other airlines, thereby ensuring a similar high level of safety and quality on shared itineraries.

About IATA. The International Air Transport Association IATA is a global association comprised of more than 270 airlines in 140 countries worldwide, including the most important airlines with regard to service and coverage. The flights of these airlines comprise 94 percent of international scheduled flights. IATA is an instrument for the cooperation between airlines that promotes reliability, safety, confidence and economic accessibility of air travel for the benefit of consumers around the world. IATA serves multiple functions enabling international airlines, which include trade issues, standards for safe and efficient transportation of cargo and passengers, procedures, training and standards in various areas of Operational Safety.

About AVIANCA. AviancaTaca Holdings is a leading airline group in Latin America. With a modern fleet of 140 short, medium and long haul aircraft and an exceptional team composed of more than 15,000 Employees, Avianca and Taca directly serves over 100 destinations in America and Europe, which connect to over 750 destinations worldwide through code-share partner airlines around the globe. With more than 4 million members in its loyalty program, the group recorded combined annual sales revenues of approximately three billion dollars. Its multi-hub operating model offers diverse and convenient passenger flight options through Bogotá, Colombia, San Salvador, El Salvador, Lima, Peru and San Jose, Costa Rica. The group also offers a broad portfolio of air products and services, including air cargo, mail, courier, aeronautical support specialists and tourism packages. For more information about the airlines please visit www.taca.com or www.avianca.com