The International Business Aviation Council’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) program has been recognized in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 2026–2028 Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP). Approved last month, the plan marks the first time IS-BAH has been recognized in an ICAO industry evaluation program and the only ground-handling safety standard identified for business aviation.
IS-BAH now joins IBAC’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) in earning this global distinction. Founded in 2014, IS-BAH is a voluntary program for FBOs and ground-handling organizations, modeled on the structure of IS-BAO, that incorporates industry best practices with a progressive safety management system.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the ICAO Council in the new GASP,” said Terry Yeomans, IS-BAH program director. “This recognition embodies the mission we set out with when we launched IS-BAH in 2014. We continue to advocate for continuous improvement within this ground-handling safety standard, regardless of the size or scope of the organization, anywhere in the world.”
IBAC director general Kurt Edwards added, “We are proud to announce that both IS-BAO and now IS-BAH safety standards have gained distinct recognition from the ICAO Council in the new GASP. This achievement is a result of the hard work of Terry Yeomans and the entire IBAC staff, along with our dedicated IS-BAH auditors and support affiliates. We particularly appreciate the growing community of IS-BAH registered ground handlers, who have voluntarily demonstrated their commitment to safety excellence in business aviation, both on the ground and in the air.”
IBAC has been expanding its international presence. In October 2023, it added new industry partners, including 4Air, Daher, and Metrojet, to its program. A month later, IS-BAH reached a milestone with 300 registered facilities worldwide, underscoring the program’s global growth and adoption across business aviation ground operations.