Towards a better world of aviation services
A new umbrella organization for the world of aviation services
After 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, the president of MixJet Flight Support Group, Munir Khalifa, as a dedicated visionary industry professional, has initiated the establishment of the International Aviation Services Organization (IASO) as a non-profit organization on 2016. IASO’s mission is to provide a unified voice e for aviation services companies at airports around the world. Created by a Board of Directors with decades of international industry experience, the organization aimed to champion key issues affecting the airfreight, aviation services, and logistics sector.
IASO was registered in 2016 and it has now five regional offices in Gothenburg, Sweden; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Montreal, Canada; Orlando, Florida; and Cairo, Egypt.
Two sub-organizations fall under the umbrella of IASO:
International Fuel Services Organization (IFSO) and International Handling Aviation Organization (IHAO).
Why IASO
IASO understands the issues affecting the aviation services industry and believes that strong industry representation worldwide is essential for continued global progress. IASO’s commitment is to not only build strong representation but to assist in the development of common industry practices to meet the dynamic challenges facing the industry today and tomorrow. IASO aims to improve the understanding of the Aviation Services industry among decision-makers, regulators, and providers and increase awareness of the benefits that aviation brings to national and global economies.
How IASO Serve
IASO aims to provide all the necessary support for the development of the aviation services industry worldwide. This is done by supporting our members in helping them develop their business tools and coordination among members to form a single representative voice for the industry, engaged with each other and concerned with each member’s growth and level of sophistication to ensure safe, cost-effective and quality performance.
IASO is now recognized as an ICAO accredited organization
In November 2019 IASO has received the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recognition as an accredited organization at the ICAO 218th council session held then in Montreal, Canada.
The Chairman of the ICAO council presented a paper to the council – which represents 36 permanent member countries – asking for recognition of IASO among the list of organizations invited to attend official meetings of ICAO. The council accepted this recommendation and IASO has become an accredited ICAO organization effective 22nd November 2019. IASO will be included in the list of international organizations that will be invited to attend appropriate ICAO meetings as an observer.
In his paper presented to the permanent members, Mr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, Chairman of ICAO council, outlined the following IASO attributes that had been taken into consideration for ICAO accreditation:
• IASO is a non-profit organization, registered in 2016, with the main objective to organize, educate and improve the aviation services industry through collaboration, best business practices and speaking with one voice for all services providers to ensure credible representation for all IASO industry. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with some regional offices in different countries states, including Canada (Montréal), Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and others, the IASO provides a forum for consultation on industry issues for aviation services companies worldwide. Two sub-organizations fall under the umbrella of IASO: International Fuel Services Organization (IFSO) and International Handling Aviation Organization (IHAO).
• IASO aims at improving understanding of the aviation services industry among decision makers, regulators and providers, as well as representing and supporting business interests at all levels around the globe through greater integration and networking among all its members, to ensure the proper recognition and incorporation of ground handling services under one umbrella, so that ground handling remains a vital part of the aviation infrastructure, supporting the systematization and integration of aviation services worldwide.
• In terms of governance, the strategic overview of the services is developed and controlled by IASO’s Board of Directors. The Executive Committee (consisting of the Chair of the Board, the President, the Secretary/Treasurer and the Technical Director – one of them being selected as Executive Director) performs such duties and exercises such powers, as may be determined by the Board, including by delegated authority while the Board is not in session. Also, IASO has dedicated Technical Committees in different areas of expertise, operations, and capacities, responsible for the development and implementation of pertinent guidance. The primary sources of funding for the IASO are the membership dues in conjunction with the multiple technical conferences that take place throughout the world, as well as partnership programs available for IASO members.
• As a forum representing the needs of ground handling companies and presenting them in international safety events, IASO assists in the implementation of ICAO Standards by ground operators. IASO helped the ICAO Aerodrome Design and Operations Panel (ADOP) to develop Standards to reduce ground incidents and reduce hazards with ground handling equipment. IASO participates in the ICAO Competency-based Training and Assessment Task Force, delivering relevant contributions to the development of guidance material. It introduces ICAO TRAINAIR standards to ground handling operators and promotes ICAO’s TRAINAIR PLUS programs. While the history of its collaboration with ICAO is not long, IASO could further provide extended support in the area of ground handling aviation services, because air operators increasingly outsource ground operations, contributing to the representation of the industry through one organization rather than individual observer companies.
• The IASO was established by founder and Chairman Munir Kahlifa, cofounder Samir H. Al Asadi, CEO Capt. Samir Sajet and a board of directors with international experience. It began operations in Dubai in September 2015 to support the interests of aviation services companies all over the world. On 23rd May 2016, it was officially registered as a nonprofit organization in Geneva, Switzerland. The IASO has five regional offices: Gothenburg, Sweden; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Montreal, Canada; Orlando, Florida; and Cairo, Egypt. The IASO strives to advance common industry practices, solve challenges and improve collaboration and mutual understanding between key decision-makers, providers and other regulators of the aviation services industry. Its goal is to create strong industry representation worldwide and shed light on the benefits of aviation to both national and worldwide economies.
Commenting on the ICAO council decision, Mr. Munir Khalifa the Founder and Chairman of IASO said: “We are very proud and appreciative to the Chairman of ICAO council and the council members for their trust and support.
“That said, we are very determined in IASO to work towards the improvement of the aviation services industry, using best business practices and speaking with one voice for all services providers to ensure credible representation for all IASO industry members.”
IASO members will have access to an online database system–Aviation Ground Services Assessment (AGSA)–for auditing and measuring key risk factors, as well as discounted insurance and expeditious payment for services rendered.
A sophisticated arbitration-resolution mechanism ensures ISAO members have access to quality service.
Interested companies can apply for membership online