Vietnam Airlines has been awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7-stars from the world’s only safety and product rating agency AirlineRatings.com After careful evaluation and feedback from the airline and aviation industry AirlineRatings.com has revised its seven-star safety rating system to give more importance to IOSA and this move elevates Vietnam Airlines up to 7-stars – the highest ranking. SEE our video on dispelling the myths of flying. IOSA – the International Air Transport Association Operation Safety Audit – was first introduced in 2003 to curb the disturbing trend in airline accidents that could be attributed to simple processes and maintenance programs. Since it was introduced airlines that have completed IOSA have up to a four-fold safer safety record than airlines that do not do the audit. SEE our "747 is 50" stories In 2017, the all accident rate for airlines on the IOSA registry was nearly four times better than that of non-IOSA airlines (0.56 vs. 2.17 accidents per million flights) and it was nearly three times better over the 2012-16 period. Of significant importance to Airlineratings.com is that the audit is done every two years and covers over 1060 parameters. AirlineRatings.com now awards an airline that has completed IOSA three stars. AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas congratulated Vietnam Airlines on this achievement. “For a long time Vietnam Airlines has been an important part of the economy of Vietnam,to many,” said Thomas. “The airline has a very modern fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft and operationally is now up there with the very best.” The rating agency has reduced the stars allocated for ICAO compliance from two to one. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was created to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection. It has 8 audit parameters that pertain to safety and they are; Legislation, Organization, Licensing, Operations, Airworthiness, Accident Investigation, Air Navigation Service and Aerodromes. If the country meets between 6 and 8 of the audits one star is awarded to the airline. Five secures 1/2 star. However, if any of the criteria are below the average by less than 5 percent it is considered a pass. If the country only meets up to four criteria no star is given. The other main criteria are; Is the airline on the European Union (EU) Blacklist; has it a fatality free record for the past 10 years and is the airline FAA (USA). Vietnam Airlines flies to 64 destinations and has 64 aircraft. It was one of the first operators of the Boeing 787-9 and the Airbus A350.