Convergence between the IATA operational safety audit (IOSA) and the international standard ISO 9001:2015: A comparative analysis of safety and quality management systems. The case of air Algérie

Abstract

In a highly regulated and safety-oriented aeronautical context, airlines must ensure compliance with multiple management standards and regulatory requirements, creating a major challenge: how to effectively coordinate compliance with IOSA and ISO 9001:2015 within an integrated management system? This study analyzes the interaction between the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) standard and ISO 9001:2015 within Air Algérie to address this question. A qualitative approach was adopted through a case study combining documentary analysis, semi-structured interviews with eight managers occupying key managerial positions within the Quality, Safety, Audit, and Documentation departments of Air Algérie, observations, and a comparative assessment grid. The results reveal a moderate level of alignment (1.87/3) between IOSA and ISO 9001, with strong convergence in the areas of documentation, audit, and continuous improvement, as well as notable gaps in risk management and governance. The study concludes that IOSA and ISO 9001 are not interchangeable but complementary. Their effective coordination through a coordinated integrated management approach constitutes an essential lever for improving organizational performance and ensuring regulatory compliance in the aviation sect