West Air

West Air China demonstrates a commendable safety profile, evidenced by its certifications and a limited history of reported incidents.

• Recent Safety Record and Any Notable Incidents: West Air China has a relatively clean safety record with no reported fatal accidents. AeroInside lists two notable incidents, both involving bird strikes: one in September 2023 when an Airbus A320-200 encountered a flock of birds shortly after takeoff from Nanning, and another suspected bird strike in January 2015 involving an Airbus A320-200 near Guangzhou.
• Regulatory Certifications:
• IOSA Certified: West Air (China) is IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) Certified. This certification is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation of an airline's operational management and control systems against stringent safety standards.
• FAA Compliance: China, the country where West Air is based, is assessed as a Category 1 country under the FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. This signifies that China's civil aviation authority complies with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) safety standards.
• EU Safety List Status: West Air China is not included on the EU Air Safety List (also known as the EU blacklist). The EU Air Safety List bans or restricts airlines from operating in European airspace if they fail to meet international safety standards.
• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: The airline operates a modern fleet primarily consisting of Airbus A320 family aircraft. The average fleet age is reported as 7.5 years [cite: 1 in Section 1], and more recently, 10 years. This relatively young fleet, combined with its IOSA certification, suggests a commitment to maintaining high operational and maintenance standards. The airline itself states that it invests in advanced scheduling, maintenance, and safety management systems. [cite: 1 in Section 1]
• Overall Safety Assessment Based on Available Data: Based on its IOSA certification, its absence from the restrictive EU Air Safety List, and a history of only minor incidents like bird strikes without any reported fatal accidents, West Air China is assessed as having a good overall safety record.
• Any Safety Awards or Recognitions: While West Air has received multiple nominations and awards from the World Travel Awards for its efficiency and as a leading low-cost airline in China and Asia in various years, these awards are not specifically for safety.