ASKY Airlines

ASKY Airlines maintains an IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification, which it first obtained in October 2014 and has successfully renewed multiple times, including in 2016, 2018, and most recently in August 2021 for a period of two years. This certification confirms the airline's adherence to international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). There is no information in the provided search results regarding specific FAA compliance or its status on the EU safety list.

Regarding its safety record, ASKY Airlines has experienced some notable incidents:

• On January 10, 2015, an ASKY Airlines Boeing 737-43QSF, on lease from Ethiopian Airlines, was damaged beyond repair in a landing accident and runway excursion at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana. All three crew members safely exited the aircraft, and there were no fatalities.
• More recently, on September 12, 2025, ASKY Flight 20, a Boeing 737-800, reportedly suffered an engine failure during a flight from Lomé to Accra, causing severe shaking. Passengers were informed of the engine failure only after landing, prompting significant safety concerns.
• On November 30, 2024, ASKY Airlines flight KP51, a Boeing 737-800, returned to Dakar Airport, Senegal, shortly after takeoff due to unconfirmed reports of an engine failure. The aircraft resumed operations within days.
• Additionally, on June 28, 2025, ASKY Airlines Flight 1520 experienced severe mid-air turbulence, potentially due to engine malfunction or adverse weather, necessitating an emergency landing in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. No injuries were reported, but passengers described a frightening ordeal. In response to these growing concerns, a Liberian Senator called for legislative intervention and an independent audit of ASKY's safety and maintenance procedures in June 2025.

ASKY Airlines states that its fleet consists of modern aircraft and emphasizes maintenance and safety to meet international best practices. In 2015, the airline reported an average fleet age of three years. Despite these assurances and its IOSA certification, recent reported incidents and public and political calls for increased scrutiny suggest ongoing concerns about maintenance and operational reliability.

Overall safety assessments are varied. Airline Ratings provides ASKY Airlines with a 7/7 safety rating as of July 25, 2024, based on its incident rating, audits, and fatality-free record. While this indicates a strong safety performance according to their metrics, the recent pattern of reported engine failures, severe turbulence, and mechanical complaints, coupled with calls for independent safety audits, suggests that a more nuanced and up-to-date assessment of its operational safety is warranted. ASKY Airlines was recognized as the "Best Airline in West Africa 2023" at the Balafon Travel Award, acknowledging its performance and growth, which indirectly reflects operational success within the region.