Tue, Aug 03, 2010
US Agency Issues Safety Downgrade To Mexico
The FAA announced Friday that Mexico is not in compliance with
international safety standards set by the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), following an assessment of the
country’s civil aviation authority. As a result, the United
States is downgrading Mexico from a Category 1 to Category 2
rating.
As part of the FAA’s International Aviation Safety
Assessment (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. With the IASA Category 2 rating,
Mexican air carriers cannot establish new service to the United
States, although they are allowed to maintain existing service.
While Mexico has been responsive to the FAA’s findings and
has made significant improvements in recent months, it was unable
to fully comply with all of the international safety
standards. However, under the leadership of Director General
Hector Gonzalez Weeks, Mexico continues to make progress. The FAA
is committed to working closely with the Mexican government and
providing technical assistance to help Mexico regain its Category 1
rating.
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 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.
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.
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