AFRAA GETS ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFICATION

…“ISO 9001:2008 certification reaffirms the Association’s commitment to unparalleled service

quality through continuous organizational improvement”

Front row L-R:Mr. Sam Kimotho of Bureau Veritas presenting the certificate to Dr. Elijah Chingosho, AFRAA Secretary General 

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) announced that it has achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification after a thorough analysis of its quality management system by Bureau Veritas, an independent accredited certification body. In achieving ISO 9001:2008 certification, AFRAA demonstrates its ability to deliver a well-defined quality management system that complies with the most stringent international standards. In addition, attainment of ISO 9001:2008 by AFRAA highlights its commitment to continually

improve its operational performance and underscores its ability to meet customer needs while at the same time motivating and further engaging its employees with more efficient internal processes.

Established by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 9001:2008 is a set of standards related to quality management systems designed to enable organizations to ensure they meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders, while complying with statutory and regulatory requirements. As the world’s most recognizable quality management standard, the ISO 9001 standard helps organizations increase the efficiency of their operations, realize cost savings and continually improve the quality of their products and services.

“The journey towards achieving ISO 9001:2008 certification commenced in September 2014. The

Secretariat documented its procedures and processes as per the ISO standards and completed all

the mandatory audits which were carried out by Bureau Veritas who ascertained that AFRAA

demonstrated commitment to quality management systems principles and clear understanding of

the ISO 9001 requirements. AFRAA staff also underwent rigorous training and currently the

Secretariat has four in-house lead auditors. With the ISO 9001:2008 achieved, the Secretariat

shall embark on the transition to the new ISO 9001:2015 standard.”

In his speech during the presentation ceremony of the certificate at the AFRAA headquarters

in Nairobi – Kenya, Dr. Elijah Chingosho, AFRAA Secretary General said, “Having achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification, we are able to validate the quality of the operational processes and the services we deliver to our member airlines and partners. This certification provides a significant differentiator that shows current and prospective customers alike our commitment to complying with the most rigid international

standards for quality systems and effective operating procedures.” Continuous improvement of

the Association’s overall performance is an important principle of this ISO standard. As the

industry changes,” he added, “we can always revise our processes to maximize efficiencies,

giving us the flexibility to react quickly to any opportunities that may arise, in order to better

serve our member airlines and partners.”

Presenting the certificate to AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Sam Kimotho, Operations

Certification Manager, Bureau Veritas Certification (Kenya) said that Bureau Veritas was

satisfied that the management systems throughout the organization system was in accordance

with the ISO 9001:2008 international standard. “We are very positive that AFRAA will use the

newly acquired system status and knowledge as a continual improvement tool for the benefit of

its members, partners and other stakeholders,” he concluded.