On Tuesday, SmartLynx’s Maltese subsidiary SmartLynx Airlines Malta announced that it has officially become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

SmartLynx Airlines Malta was granted an Air Operator Certificate in April 2019 from the Transport Ministry’s Civil Aviation Directorate. In June 2020, it introduced the A321F, its first freighter aircraft registered in Malta, a first of its kind for airlines in the country.

Commenting on the announcement, SmartLynx Airlines CEO Edvinas Demenius stated that joining the IATA community marks a significant milestone for the company.

“The membership opens new opportunities for cooperation and development. We look forward to contributing our 32 years of experience to the industry dialogue aiming to shape the ever-evolving landscape of aviation,” he added.

The membership allows SmartLynx to participate in discussions about the industry’s priorities and initiatives, including safety and sustainability.

By joining IATA, SmartLynx Airlines Malta became a member of a worldwide community that aims to improve the efficiency, safety, and reliability of aviation services.

The airline has been on the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registry since 2019. It is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.

As a membership requirement, airlines must comply with IOSA standards, the benchmark for global airline safety management.

Founded in 1945, IATA now represents 330 airlines in over 120 countries, including KM Malta Airlines.

Carrying 80 per cent of the world's air traffic, IATA members include the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines.