Contrary to expectations, an upgrade of India’s air safety by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will not happen during US President Barack Obama’s visit here later this month. A return to the previous category-I rating, likely only by March, will depend on the results of a fresh review by FAA officials next month.
Senior officials in the civil aviation ministry told Business Standard FAA officials had pointed to two areas of concern during a safety audit in December last year. While the first was the fact that hiring 75 flight operation inspectors (FOIs) wasn’t completed, the second pertained to safety procedures.
“FAA officials had underlined some pending issues of a routine nature. We have 35 FOIs and expect to complete their hiring, as well as address other requirements, by January-end. The officials have said they will come again in mid-February for a review. So, we are hopeful the category-I status will be restored by March,” said a ministry official.
After an FAA audit of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), conducted under the US agency’s international aviation safety assessment programme in September 2013, FAA had raised 31 areas of concern. It had announced India didn’t comply with international standards, as codified under the Chicago Convention.
14/01/15 Roudra Bhattacharya/Business Standard
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Senior officials in the civil aviation ministry told Business Standard FAA officials had pointed to two areas of concern during a safety audit in December last year. While the first was the fact that hiring 75 flight operation inspectors (FOIs) wasn’t completed, the second pertained to safety procedures.
“FAA officials had underlined some pending issues of a routine nature. We have 35 FOIs and expect to complete their hiring, as well as address other requirements, by January-end. The officials have said they will come again in mid-February for a review. So, we are hopeful the category-I status will be restored by March,” said a ministry official.
After an FAA audit of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), conducted under the US agency’s international aviation safety assessment programme in September 2013, FAA had raised 31 areas of concern. It had announced India didn’t comply with international standards, as codified under the Chicago Convention.
14/01/15 Roudra Bhattacharya/Business Standard
