IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations)
IS-BAO is an internationally-recognized business aviation safety standard administered by IBAC (the International Business Aviation Council). Operators register at one of three stages (1, 2, 3); higher stages confirm a more mature safety management system.
Also known as: is bao, isbao, is-bao stage 1, is-bao stage 2, is-bao stage 3, international standard for business aircraft operations
IS-BAO is the global business aviation industry's voluntary safety standard, developed by IBAC in 2002 and updated periodically since. It's structured around an operator's safety management system (SMS) — the formal documented process for identifying, assessing, and mitigating operational risk — and is audited every two years by an IS-BAO-accredited auditor.
Stage 1 confirms the operator has a documented SMS and has been audited against the IS-BAO standard. Stage 2 confirms the SMS is operationally active — risk assessments are being run, hazards logged, and mitigations tracked. Stage 3 is the highest tier — requires the SMS to be embedded in the operator's culture, with continuous-improvement loops and demonstrable effectiveness over time.
Roughly 700 operators worldwide carry an active IS-BAO registration as of 2024. The standard is recognized by the FAA, EASA, and most national civil aviation authorities as evidence of safety management maturity beyond the minimum certification requirements.
Frequently asked questions
- What is IS-BAO Stage 2?
- IS-BAO Stage 2 confirms that the operator's safety management system is operationally active — risk assessments are being run, hazards are being logged, and mitigations are being tracked. It's the middle tier between documented (Stage 1) and culturally-embedded (Stage 3) SMS.
Related terms
- ARGUS Rating
ARGUS is a private safety-audit firm that rates Part 135 charter operators on three tiers (Gold, Gold Plus, Platinum). An ARGUS rating is a voluntary third-party signal that the operator has passed an independent audit of pilot qualifications, safety management, and operational history.
- Wyvern Rating
Wyvern is a private safety-audit firm that rates Part 135 charter operators on two main tiers (Registered, Wingman). Wyvern is the second-largest third-party charter safety auditor in the US after ARGUS; ratings are voluntary and reviewed annually.
- Part 135 Operator
A Part 135 operator is an FAA-certificated company authorized to fly paying passengers on private (non-scheduled) charter aircraft under 14 CFR Part 135. Every legitimate private jet charter flown in the United States — including every empty leg — is operated under a Part 135 certificate; operators based elsewhere fly under the equivalent authority in their own jurisdiction.
Sources
Looking for live empty leg inventory?
SkyAccess indexes live empty leg flights from 800+ certified charter operators across 5,000+ airports. Search by route, date, and aircraft category — most travelers find empty legs 25–75% below retail charter.
Search empty legs