Story ID: 
Early IS-BAO Participants Reach Milestones
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The SMS-based voluntary program, launched in 2002, is now seeing its first 15-year participants.
Word Count: 157
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) recently held a reception honoring 17 business aircraft operators who have reached major milestones in participation in the International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO).

The voluntary, safety management system-based program is the global code of industry best practices. Launched in 2002, the first IS-BAO adopters have now reached their 15th anniversaries. Seventeen operators that achieved the 15-year and 10-year milestones, including IBM, Shell Aircraft Ltd., and Boeing Executive Flight Operations, received certificates of recognition from IS-BAO program director Bennett Walsh at the event.

“These operators are industry leaders as well as pioneers in their adoption of the global IBAC safety standard, and we commend them for their commitment to excellence and safety,” noted IBAC director general Kurt Edwards. “I am sure the management and staff of these companies are very proud of their flight operations’ pledge to professionalism and their continued dedication to a safety culture.”