USFAA Upgrades PHL’s Air Safety Measures to Category 1

Malacañang welcomed on Thursday the U.S Federal Aviation Authority’s (USFAA) upgrade of the country’s air safety measures to Category 1 from Category 2.

In a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the upgrade “demonstrates the capability of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to implement institutional reforms to ensure that the county’s aviation industry is globally competitive and conforms with international safety standards.”

“We join the Department of Transportation and Communications in welcoming the United States Federal Aviation Authority decision to upgrade the Philippines’ safety status to Category 1 after meeting the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” Coloma said.

“The upgrading comes on the heels of the favorable action by the European Union on safety compliance of Philippine carriers. The benefits of this development include greater access to US routes, use of more fuel-efficient planes, and faster growth of the Philippine tourism and aviation sectors,” he added.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte lauded the DOTC and the CAAP saying the upgrade is a result of their hardwork and commitment to rectify lapses and inactions of the past.

“We laud the DOTC and CAAP for the commitment and hard work they have demonstrated in rectifying the lapses and inaction of the past. As they have done this, so too have they instituted a truly service-oriented regime — one which is committed to its mandate of ensuring that our aviation industry meets international standards,” she said.

“This upgrade is a result of the can-do attitude that prevails in government and society today — an attitude that enables our agencies to continuously strive to ensure the safety and well-being of the wider public, as we all tread the straight path to greater progress and success,” she added.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration downgraded the country to Category 2 due to safety concerns in 2008.

This downgrade meant that the country’s carriers could only continue flights to the U.S. under strict regulation by the FAA.

Image Credit: www.philippineflightnetwork.com