GMA wants RP restored to Category 1 status under US FAA

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to immediately find ways to bring the Philippines back to Category 1 status with the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).

Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said that the President made it clear during last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting in Palawan that the CAAP should resolve the FAA downgrade of the Philippines aviation safety rating immediately in order to maximize the opportunities coming from North America.

It has been more than two years since the FAA downgraded the Philippines from Category 1 to Category 2 because the 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 – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures.”

In order to achieve Category 1 status, the civil aviation authority must comply with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Durano noted that the ICAO has also classified the Philippines as having significant security risks.

Both issues have far reaches as far as the country’s tourism sector is concerned, particularly the opportunity losses from countries such as the US, South Korea and Japan.

In the case of the FAA downgrade, Durano noted that Philippine Airlines was one of the most affected because it has brought in two Boeing 777-300ER aircrafts and cannot use them for the North American routes.

As for the ICAO’s rating, Durano said that Japan and Korea have used this to deny Philippine carriers additional frequencies, which they have been requesting.

The rebound in the economies of the US, Japan and Korea from the global financial crisis is expected to result in more traveling by its residents to destinations such as the Philippines, which offers warm weather all year round.