Winair Reaches New Safety Milestone With IOSA and ISSA Registration
Winair has achieved registration under both the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA), marking a significant milestone for the St. Maarten based regional airline.
The two registrations apply to different aircraft operations within Winair’s fleet. Its ATR 42 operations fall under the IOSA programme, while its DHC 6 Twin Otter operations are assessed under ISSA. Together, the registrations cover the airline’s two aircraft categories and demonstrate compliance with the applicable IATA safety standards.
The achievement could also support Winair’s efforts to strengthen relationships with international airlines and expand the ways passengers can travel between the Caribbean and international destinations.
Two IATA safety programmes for Winair
IOSA and ISSA are separate IATA safety programmes designed for different types of airline operations. Winair’s ATR 42 operations are covered by IOSA, while its Twin Otter operations are assessed under ISSA.
The airline began preparing for the registrations in early 2024. The process involved teams across a wide range of departments, including flight operations, cabin operations, ground operations, maintenance, cargo, security and organizational management.
Winair says it is currently the only airline worldwide holding both registrations at the same time.
The registrations therefore represent work across the airline rather than an assessment limited to a single part of its operation. Employees from different departments were involved in preparing for the requirements of the two programmes.
Building stronger international connections
The safety milestone comes as Winair continues to pursue opportunities to strengthen its international partnerships.
Winair already has experience working with international airlines, including a codeshare agreement with Air France. Such arrangements can give passengers additional options when combining international flights with regional connections operated by Winair.
According to the airline, the IOSA and ISSA registrations strengthen its ability to pursue additional codeshare and interline partnerships with international carriers.
For passengers, these agreements can make it easier to combine flights operated by different airlines as part of a single journey. Winair says future partnerships could help create more seamless travel between Caribbean destinations and markets in Europe, North America, South America and beyond.
The registrations do not themselves create new routes or partnerships, but they provide an important part of the framework for airlines seeking to work together.
Why this matters for St. Maarten
Winair plays an important role in connecting St. Maarten with other destinations across the Caribbean. The airline operates from St. Maarten airport, which serves as an important gateway for regional and international travel to and from the island.
For St. Maarten, maintaining strong regional air connections is particularly important because the island serves as a point of connection for travelers moving between different Caribbean destinations. Stronger relationships between Winair and international airlines could provide visitors with more convenient options for reaching the island and continuing their journeys within the region.
The registrations may also strengthen Winair’s position when discussing potential partnerships with larger international carriers. For a regional airline operating across different aircraft types and destinations, internationally recognized safety standards can form an important part of those discussions.
A milestone involving the wider Winair team
Winair CEO Hans van de Velde described the registrations as the result of work across the company.
“Safety is the foundation of everything we do at Winair,” said van de Velde. “Achieving both IOSA and ISSA registration is a testament to the dedication of our entire team and a defining milestone in our strategy to connect the Caribbean with the world through trusted, seamless partnerships.”
Preparation for the registrations began in early 2024 and involved employees from operational and administrative departments throughout Winair.
The airline says its focus remains on providing regional air travel while developing stronger connections between its Caribbean destinations and international markets.
For St. Maarten and the wider Caribbean, the achievement marks another step in Winair’s efforts to strengthen regional air connectivity.
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