Philippines Aviation is World-Class, up to Category 1
U.S. Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg delivered a letter to Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General William Hotchkiss from Margaret Gilligan, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. In the letter, Gilligan informed CAAP officials that the FAA has determined that the Philippines meets the criteria for a “Category 1” rating, following a successful International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) earlier this year. Goldberg noted that the FAA’s decision “is a tribute to the hard work and professionalism of the CAAP,” adding that collaboration between the FAA and CAAP will help ensure the continued safety of air travel between the United States and the Philippines.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has announced that the Republic of the Philippines complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on the results of a January FAA review of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The Philippines is now upgraded to Category 1 from the Category 2 safety rating the country received from the FAA in January 2008. The CAAP worked with the FAA on an action plan with technical assistance so that its safety oversight system fully complies with ICAO’s standards and practices.
A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures.
With the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating, Philippine air carriers can now add flights and service to the United States and carry the code of U.S. air carriers. With the Category 2 rating, Philippine air carriers were allowed to maintain existing service to the United States, but could not establish new services.
As part of the FAA’s IASA program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate or have applied to fly to the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.
In order to maintain a Category 1 rating, countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. IASA information can be found at www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/iasa/. (USEmbassy)
