New Delhi: India has successfully retained its ‘Category 1’ status under the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, as per an announcement by the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation on April 12, 2023. The achievement highlights India’s compliance with the safety standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the areas of aircraft operations, airworthiness, and personnel licensing.
The IASA program is designed to ensure that the air carriers of participating countries operate in compliance with international safety standards. As a result of this status, carriers from India are permitted to operate in the United States, expand their services to US destinations, and collaborate with US air carriers.
The FAA conducted an audit of DGCA under the IASA program, and after the assessment, conducted final consultations in April 2022. The FAA then conducted further reviews in July and September 2022, which were followed by a positive assessment outcome. The FAA has commended the DGCA for its commitment to ensuring effective safety oversight of India’s aviation system, according to the statement issued by the DGCA.
The retention of India’s ‘Category 1’ status is significant for the country, which is experiencing a boom in aviation growth, and its air carriers have major capacity induction and expansion plans. The recent ICAO audit conducted in November 2022 also scored India an ‘Effective Implementation’ (EI) of 85.65% from the previous EI of 69.95%, significantly enhancing its global ranking.
The positive outcomes of these audits are a testament to India’s commitment to having an effective safety oversight of its civil aviation system. The retention of its ‘Category 1’ status demonstrates India’s determination to maintain compliance with international safety standards and improve its ranking in the global aviation industry.
In conclusion, India’s retention of its ‘Category 1’ status is a significant achievement, and it will have a positive impact on the country’s aviation industry. This accomplishment highlights India’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its air carriers and their operations. With major capacity induction and expansion plans underway, India’s aviation industry is poised for growth, and the retention of its ‘Category 1’ status will help facilitate that growth.
