What Is ISAGO Accreditation and Why Does It Matter?

What Does the ISAGO Audit Cover?

• Corporate organisation and management, including safety management and accountability.
• Station-level operational procedures at the airports where the provider works.
• Passenger and baggage handling processes.
• Ramp handling, aircraft loading and load control practices.
• Aircraft ground movement and equipment operation.
• Cargo and mail handling where the provider offers those services.
• Training records, staff qualification and documentation control.

How the Programme Works

IATA maintains the standards, and audits are carried out by qualified auditors against a published checklist. Findings must be closed before registration is confirmed, and registration is renewed periodically rather than granted permanently.

Because the programme separates corporate and station assessments, a provider's registration reflects both how the company is run and how it operates at specific airports. This is the practical difference between a management-system certificate and an operational audit.

Why ISAGO Matters to an Airline

• It provides an independent, standardised assessment instead of relying only on a supplier's own assurances.
• It reduces duplicated auditing: airlines can reference an existing audit rather than sending their own team to every station.
• It supports the airline's own safety oversight obligations for outsourced activities.
• It gives a common language for corrective actions when a finding arises.
• It signals that documented procedures, training and reporting exist rather than informal practice.

What ISAGO Does Not Mean

ISAGO registration is an audit result, not a guarantee of performance on a given day, and it does not replace the airline's own supervision of its contracted stations. It also does not certify commercial terms, pricing or service levels, which remain contractual matters.

A related but distinct programme is IOSA, the IATA Operational Safety Audit, which applies to airlines rather than ground handling providers. The two are frequently confused because both are IATA audit programmes.

How Airlines Use It During Selection

In a tender, ISAGO registration is normally a screening criterion: providers that hold it move forward, and those that do not are asked to demonstrate an equivalent audited safety system. It is then combined with station visits, references, equipment inspection and financial checks before award.

How It Relates to Link Aero

Link Aero Trading Agency is an IATA ISAGO certified ground handling provider, and safety and compliance standards are published as part of the company profile.

The company has operated in aviation services since 1992 and delivers handling, flight support, aviation security and cargo services with a 24/7 operations desk. Airlines evaluating the company can review its published service scope and station coverage alongside its registration.

Related Link Aero services

• ground handling services
• aviation security services
• flight support services

Frequently asked questions

Is ISAGO a certification or an accreditation?

ISAGO is an audit programme leading to registration of the ground handling provider. It is commonly described as accreditation, but the formal outcome is registration following a successful audit and closure of findings.

What is the difference between ISAGO and IOSA?

ISAGO audits ground handling service providers. IOSA audits airlines and their operational management systems. Both are IATA programmes but they apply to different types of organisation.

Does ISAGO apply to every airport a provider works at?

The programme assesses the provider's corporate organisation and specific stations. Station coverage is defined by the audits performed, so airlines usually confirm which stations are included.