Aviation safety ratings out in 45 days

MANILA, Philippines - The US State Department is set to announce whether the Philippines has complied with the aviation safety standards that will pave the way for the mounting of additional flights to the US.

John Andrews, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), said in a text message yesterday the US is expected to release within the next 30 to 45 days the results of the audit conducted last month by the US Federal Aviation Administration (US-FAA).

“We are optimistic of getting an upgrade,” he said, adding he would resign if the Philippines is not upgraded back to Category 1 status.

The US-FAA downgraded the safety rating of CAAP in 2008 to Category 2 from Category 1 upon the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The ICAO  last year lifted the significant security concerns on the Philippines following an audit.

This prompted the European Union to lift the ban imposed on Philippine carriers in 2010 from entering the European airspace last July.