THE US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will restore the air-safety ranking for the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to Category 1, the Edge Market reported.

In 2019, the FAA downgraded the safety rating to Category 2 after a review found that the CAAM failed to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. 

The Category 2 rating meant CAAM “is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping and/or inspection procedures.” 

It also meant that Malaysian carriers could continue existing services to the United States but could not establish new services. 

The report quoting “people with knowledge of the matter” stated that the reinstatement was due to CAAM having resolved all 33 issues raised by the FAA when it downgraded the rating. 

The FAA is expected to release a statement on the matter before the month-end. 

A return to Category 1 would allow Malaysian airlines to expand in the lucrative US market and enter code share agreements with American carriers. 

The downgrade put Malaysia alongside nations like Thailand, Bangladesh, and Costa Rica. – September 29, 2022.