A Guide to Air Charter Safety Accreditation

When booking a private charter flight, understanding the safety rating systems is important for ensuring a safe and assured travel experience. Several respected organisations assess the safety and compliance of charter operators, providing travellers with key information to make informed choices. Among the most recognised are ARGUS, WYVERN, and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), which set the highest safety standards in the industry globally.

ARGUS Rating System

ARGUS (Aviation Research Group United States) is an independent safety evaluation organisation that has monitored air operators since 1995. It is regarded as one of the most comprehensive third-party rating systems, providing detailed reports on operator safety via on-site audits.

ARGUS now awards charter operators three levels of accreditation:

Gold: Operators meet fundamental safety requirements.
Gold Plus: Includes additional checks, such as on-site safety audits.
Platinum: Achieving Platinum status is a significant accomplishment, as only around 5% of charter operators worldwide meet these stringent requirements. This designation highlights an operator’s ongoing commitment to safety, compliance, and risk management at the highest level.

The ARGUS Charter Evaluation and Qualification (CHEQ) Programme is one of the most respected safety rating systems in the private aviation industry. It provides an independent, data-driven evaluation of charter operators, helping brokers and passengers make informed decisions about safety and operational reliability.

CHEQ is unique because it does not rely solely on self-reported data from operators. Instead, ARGUS gathers and analyses information from multiple independent sources, including:

Historical safety records – Reviewing past incidents, accident history, and enforcement actions taken by aviation authorities.
Pilot experience and qualifications – Ensuring crew members meet strict minimum requirements, including flight hours, certifications, and medical clearances.
Aircraft maintenance and operational history – Assessing whether an operator follows industry best practices for aircraft upkeep and regulatory compliance.
On-site audits – Conducted for operators pursuing higher safety ratings, these audits verify that the company adheres to structured safety management protocols.

The ARGUS CHEQ system uses a colour-coded rating structure to categorise operators based on the depth of available safety data and their compliance with industry standards:

Red (Does Not Qualify – DNQ): Operators that have known deficiencies or have failed to provide sufficient data for evaluation.
Yellow: Operators with incomplete, unverified, or below-standard safety records.
Green: Operators that meet ARGUS safety requirements and qualify for one of the Gold, Gold Plus or Platinum tiers.

ARGUS Certification for Charter Brokers

Recognising the need for higher standards for charter brokers, ARGUS introduced a Broker Certification Programme to bring greater transparency, accountability, and safety awareness to the sector. Unlike charter operators, brokers are not directly regulated by aviation authorities, meaning operational standards can vary widely. ARGUS certification helps bridge this gap by ensuring that certified brokers adhere to a structured, safety-focused framework.

To achieve ARGUS certification, brokers must undergo a comprehensive evaluation process that includes:

A detailed review of financial stability, ensuring the broker operates with sound business practices and reliability.
Verification of policies and procedures, assessing the broker’s approach to safety, compliance, and client service.
Insurance validation, confirming that appropriate coverage is in place to protect clients and mitigate risk.
Operational on-site assessment where ARGUS representatives interview management teams, examine workflow processes, and evaluate due diligence / safety protocols.

ARGUS Certified brokers are also required to maintain ongoing compliance with industry best practices. This includes regular re-evaluations to ensure that brokers continue to uphold high standards in their operations.

WYVERN Rating System

WYVERN is another leading aviation safety body that audits operators and enforces strict certification processes. It offers a two-tier rating system:

Registered Operators: These operators provide safety records to WYVERN, maintaining transparent documentation to improve visibility for brokers and clients.
Wingman Certified Operators: These undergo an in-depth safety audit, followed by biennial reassessments to ensure continuous compliance. This certification signifies a long-term commitment to best practices and safety reporting.

WYVERN also provides Pilot and Aircraft Safety Survey (PASS) reports, assessing whether an operator, crew, and aircraft meet stringent safety criteria. These reports align with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

IS-BAO Certification

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), is a globally recognised safety framework designed to raise operational standards in private and business aviation.

The certification process consists of three progressive stages:

Stage One: Confirms that a Safety Management System (SMS) is established and meets fundamental requirements.
Stage Two: Validates that operators effectively implement and manage risk and safety performance.
Stage Three: Demonstrates a deeply embedded safety culture where safety management is fully integrated into daily operations.

Why Safety Ratings Matter

For passengers, understanding these safety ratings is essential when choosing a private charter provider. Certifications such as ARGUS Platinum, WYVERN Wingman, and IS-BAO accreditation offer a clear indication of an operator’s commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

For clients responsible for booking aircraft, whether corporate travel managers, brokers, or private individuals, safety assurance is a matter of risk management and due diligence. Their focus extends beyond personal comfort to ensuring they have selected an operator with a proven safety record that meets or exceeds regulatory and industry standards.

Now more than ever, assurance is key. Whether it is about passengers feeling secure in their experience or clients ensuring they have made the right choice, safety in private aviation is an absolute necessity, not just an expectation.