Malaysia on track to regaining Category 1 US air safety rating

 

The FAA downgrade two years ago restricts Malaysia’s airlines from adding flights to the United States and subjects them to more checks.

PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya is optimistic that the country will be able to reverse the 2019 downgrade by a US aviation agency of the nation’s air safety rating.

Transport minister Wee Ka Siong said US ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters recognised the country’s “good progress” in adhering to the rigorous standards of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“We can be optimistic of a good outcome soon, which would put us back on track to regain Category 1 status,” he said in a Facebook post following a virtual meeting with McFeeters.

Two years ago, the FAA downgraded Malaysia’s air safety rating to Category 2, which restricts Malaysia’s airlines from adding flights to the US and subjects the country’s airlines to more checks.

FAA’s safety rating is based on a country’s aviation oversight regime and is an assessment of the country’s civil aviation authority.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) had said that some of FAA’s findings, including on legislation, training and obligations, were “ambiguous”.

It, however, acknowledged several shortcomings in carrying out its duties as an aviation regulator.

On a related matter, Wee said he discussed with McFeeters the possibility of both countries helping each other in developing infrastructure for Malaysia’s aviation and rail sectors.

“The US has much to offer in terms of expertise and experience in aviation and ground transport infrastructure development and services support,” he said. - FMT