Maldives main Velana International Airport has successfully completed International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO).
An official from the state owned airport operator Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) told local media on Monday that requirements for the audit were completed in January. The audit was carried out on organisation and management, load control, passenger and baggage handling, aircraft handling and loading, aircraft ground movement, and cargo and mail movement, he said.
“Due to the audit, ground handling services of Velana International Airport has been upgraded and safety reassured,” the official said.
The certificate was handed over to MACL on May 14.
ISAGO audit is aimed at improving the safety of ground operations, eliminate duplicate audits by air operators, and provide the industry with an efficient, sustainable oversight programme.
ISAGO is conducted in a standardised and consistent manner using internationally recognised standards and quality auditing principles. The ISAGO audits are based on an assessment of conformity with applicable ISAGO Standards and Recommended Practices (GOSARPs) that are outlined in the ISAGO Standards Manual (GOSM). The GOSARPs are reviewed annually, and derived from international standards and recommended practices such as published by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and state/regional regulatory authorities and can be applied to the management activities and specific ground operations of any GSP worldwide.
Government has launched a USD 800 million mega project to expand and upgrade the Maldives’ main gateway. The project includes construction of a new runway and terminal and establishment of support infrastructure and services in order to allow the airport to cater to at least seven million passengers per annum.