Safety, Regulatory & Airline Start-up Support
Compliance, SMS, audits, pre-IOSA/ISAGO readiness and operations manuals, and airline start-up support from launch planning to regulatory approval.
Strong safety and compliance, from established operators to new airlines
Specialist support to strengthen compliance, reduce operational risk and maintain robust safety standards in highly regulated environments: from regulatory reviews, SMS, internal audits and pre-IOSA/ISAGO readiness to operations manuals, third-country operator applications and independent assessments for business aviation owners, operators, banks and lessors.
Whether the need is a one-off audit, an SMS review, or an ongoing safety and compliance programme, we bring an operator’s understanding of what regulators, and your own operation, actually need to see.
The same regulatory grounding supports new carriers. Our airline start-up work covers launch planning, operational readiness, regulatory approval preparation and the establishment of crew and OCC functions.
Safety and regulatory compliance
Regulatory compliance reviews and gap analysis
A structured review of your operation against the regulatory requirements that apply to it, identifying gaps before a regulator does. We prioritise findings by risk and practicality, so your response is focused on what genuinely matters rather than a long, undifferentiated list, and we stay involved through remediation, not just the initial review.
Safety Management System development and refinement
Support to build or refine your Safety Management System so it functions as a working part of the operation rather than a document that is rarely used. We focus on practical hazard identification, risk assessment, and reporting processes that staff will actually use, strengthening your safety culture as well as your formal compliance position.
Internal audits and regulatory readiness support
Independent internal audits that give you an honest picture of your operational and safety position ahead of a regulatory inspection or renewal. We identify what needs attention, help you prepare supporting evidence, and work with your team so you go into a regulatory review with confidence rather than uncertainty.
Pre-IOSA and pre-ISAGO readiness assessments
Independent pre-IOSA and pre-ISAGO readiness assessments, identifying compliance gaps and supporting airlines and ground handling organisations in preparing for formal audits.
UK and EU third-country operator support
Regulatory support for non-UK and non-EU operators seeking UK or EASA Third Country Operator authorisation, from readiness assessment through the application.
Operations manuals: audit, development and revision
Audit, development and revision of airline operations manuals, supporting compliance with EASA, FAA and other applicable national aviation authority requirements.
Safety & compliance assessments for owners, operators, banks, and lessors
Ongoing safety and compliance assessments for business jet owners, operators, banks, and leasing companies who need an independent, operationally credible view of an aircraft or operator's standards, whether for due diligence ahead of a transaction, ongoing oversight, or reassurance before entering into a new arrangement.
Airline start-ups: from launch planning to first flight
We help new airlines establish and prepare the core operational functions needed for launch: flight operations, operations control (OCC), crew planning, safety and ground handling. Our support runs from initial planning through operational readiness and regulatory approval, identifying and mitigating start-up operational risks along the way.
Start-up operational risks are easy to underestimate in a business plan. Drawing on start-up experience across multiple regions, we help new carriers make sure these functions are ready for the first day of flying.
Planning a new airline?
See an anonymised example of our start-up support, or talk to us in confidence about your launch plans.
Flight and ground operations launch planning
Practical planning support for a new carrier's flight and ground operations, from initial network and fleet assumptions through to day-to-day operational procedures. We help translate a business plan into an operation that's genuinely ready to fly, drawing on hands-on start-up experience across multiple regions, not theoretical launch frameworks.
Operational readiness and regulatory approval preparation
Support through operational readiness and preparation for regulatory approval, helping ensure that documentation, procedures and systems meet what the authority expects from a new operator. Identifying and closing gaps early reduces the risk of delays to approval and first flight.
Crew and OCC establishment
We help new carriers build crew planning and Operations Control functions from the ground up (structure, staffing, systems, and processes) so these critical functions are ready to manage a live operation from day one, rather than being developed reactively once flying has already started.
Start-up risk assessment and mitigation
An honest assessment of the operational risks a new carrier is likely to face, from crew and ground resourcing through to regulatory and safety exposure. We help prioritise these risks and build practical mitigation plans, so leadership and investors have a realistic view of what launching the airline will actually require.
What you can expect from an engagement
Independent regulatory and operational assessments, practical compliance support, and experienced guidance through airline development, operational improvement and regulatory readiness.
- Independent assessment of compliance and safety management, with clear priorities for action.
- Pre-IOSA and pre-ISAGO readiness ahead of formal audits.
- Support with UK and EU third-country operator applications.
- Development, audit and revision of airline operations manuals to meet applicable international and national regulatory requirements.
- For new airlines: experienced support from initial planning through operational readiness and regulatory approval processes.
Related services
Preparing for an audit, strengthening your SMS or launching an airline?
Get in touch to discuss your requirements, in full confidence.