FAA cites 23 critical elements in Philippines airports
March 29, 2012, 08:47 am
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recently found 23 critical elements in airports throughout the Philippines that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines must address and correct. Until the proper upgrades and adjustments have been made to the country's aviation industry and practices, the Philippines have been stripped of their Category 1 safety status.
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The FAA's report on the airports in the Philippines found unqualified personnel inspect aircrafts and facilities, inspectors accept free rides from airlines they are checking and airlines get certification after failing to meet major requirements, The Associated Press reported.
As a result of the FAA's findings, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines was downgraded and many of the country's carriers were blacklisted from U.S. and European Union aviation groups. The downgrade prompted Philippines Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas to promise to address the deficiencies found in the system, as the violations will likely affect the national airline industry and tourism, the AP reported.
According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippines' aviation industry does not comply with world safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. While the Philippines remain in Category 2 safety status, foreign carriers continue to enter the country with new flights, helping the local aviation industry find growth.
In April, a team from the Philippine aviation authority will visit lawmakers in Washington to present their action plan to correct the shortcomings the FAA cited. The FAA still, however, has yet to conduct its official audit of the Philippines aviation industry, which will likely take place after adjustments have been made by the local aviation authority. Airline groups in the Philippines are urging the government to address and amend the problems quickly so carriers can add flights to the United States and Europe, which will improve revenue and growth, the AP reported.
As part of its report, the FAA recommended the Philippines aviation authority require all inspectors to complete a standardized training program and no longer accept free rides from carriers. All certificates issued to local carriers should be reviewed until inspectors have been retrained with new regulations in place. The FAA is encouraging the aviation authority to enforce civil penalty sanctions and an amendment to the country's civil aviation law to allow local carriers to lease foreign aircrafts, the AP reported.
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