Gov't optimistic of upgrade in aviation safety

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government today expressed optimism that the country's air safety rating would get an upgrade after the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO) recognized its efforts to address safety standards.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigal Valte made the statement after the ICAO said in a letter to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) that the country has successfully addressed and resolved the "significant safety concerns" it earlier identified.

"With this positive development, the CAAP will continue to coordinate with the European Union (EU) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about upgrading the country' s aviation status," said Valte.

She said the government will observe the necessary process to get an upgrade from the FAA and to be removed from the EU blacklist.

In 2008, the FAA downgraded the Philippines to Category 2 from Category 1 for being non-compliant to ICAO Standard And Recommended Practices (SARPs) on international civil aviation safety.

Due to this downgrade, Philippine carriers were prevented from expanding operations to the United States.

The EU disallowed all carriers from the Philippines from taking direct flights to any EU country following the safety assessments conducted by ICAO in 2010.