By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

Allied Air Limited, Africa’s leading cargo airline operator, has emerged the first cargo airline in Africa to bag the prestigious IATA Operational Safety Audit, IOSA Certification, issued by the International Air Transport Association, IATA, the trade association of the world’s  airlines.

The IOSA program is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.

Allied Air was founded in 1998 by Captain Valentine Tongo, a seasoned pilot with over 30 years flying experience behind him.   Actual operations started in 2004 with the purchase of her first Boeing 727aircraft.Three more 727-200SF were added to the fleet to cope with the increasing volume of cargo being handled by the airline.

The airline has since upgraded her fleet to include three modern Boeing 737-400SFaircrafts and phased out the 727’s. Over the years the company has established an enviable reputation as a cargo airline with high professional standards, reliable on-time delivery performance backed up with an exemplary air safety record.

Allied Air is presently the only Nigerian registered cargo airline and the biggest B737F cargo operator in the West and Central Africa regions.