Mexico to use IATA safety audit

Mexico to use IATA safety audit The director of Mexico's civil aviation agency said Monday that Mexico has decided to recognize the International Air Transport Association's Operational Safety Audit in conducting his country's safety auditing processes.
   Speaking in Miami at the Latin American Air Transport Association's (ALTA) Airline Leaders Forum, Gilberto Lopez Meyer said the move to adopt the internationally recognized safety standards reflects Mexico's commitment to air safety.
   The Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) was developed by IATA, which includes more than 240 airlines. Member carriers conduct 94 percent of all international flights, and the IOSA registry of carrier is known as the benchmark for international airline safety management.
   ALTA president Pedro Heilbron said he hopes Mexico's decision to adopt the IATA standards will lead to regional recognition by national airline safety authorities.
   'We are urging all of the other Latin American and Caribbean authorities to follow this example in order to ensure the strengthening of our region's safety standards,' he said.
   Mexico joins Chile and Costa Rica in adopting the IOSA standard in Latin America.