Etihad Airways has, for the third consecutive time, passed a rigorous aviation industry safety audit.

The airline met all required standards after a team from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit - IOSA - examined the airline's safety procedures and processes in detail.

The audit seeks to ensure that airlines are compliant with safety requirements and recommended practices determined by IATA. It is the most important examination of Etihad's business to take place.

'Safety is our number one priority and the positive results are testament to the commitment to our safety culture,' James Hogan, Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer, said Thursday.

Etihad also met all standards of the IOSA audit in both the 2006 and 2008 audits. The audit is repeated with adapting standards every two years to ensure on-going compliance.

IOSA audits are mandatory for all IATA member airlines and require meeting 966 separate standards in eight operational areas, including operations management, flight operations, cabin operations, maintenance, flight dispatch, ground and cargo operations and security.

--IANS/WAM

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