On January 21, 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed the Government of Cabo Verde that the country retained its “Category 1” rating under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. The Category 1 designation signifies full compliance with minimum international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and followed a comprehensive review by the FAA of Cabo Verde’s civil aviation oversight system.
Under the IASA program, the FAA assesseswhether a foreign country’s civil aviation authority provides sufficient oversight of its air carriers and complies with ICAO international aviation safety standards. The FAA maintains two ratings for the status of country’s safety oversight compliance. A Category 1 designation is reserved for countries that demonstrate compliance with ICAO standards for each of the critical elements of civil aviation oversight. A Category 2 rating is assigned when the FAA determines that the country does not comply with ICAO standards. The FAA will issue a Category 2 rating if the FAA has found that, in at least one critical area, the safety measures applied by the country's CAA does not meet international standards.
The renewal of Category 1 status means air carriers in Cabo Verde can continue to apply for new services to the U.S. and code-share with U.S. carriers. In contrast, had Cabo Verde been downgraded to a Category 2 rating, the United States would not permit expansion or changes in the current services of Cabo Verdean air carriers to the United States. Additionally, U.S. airlines are generally prohibited from code sharing with foreign air carriers from a Category 2 rated country. New entrant carriers from Category 2-rated countries will not be permitted to commence service to the United States. Therefore, successful satisfaction of the IASA program is critical for the maintenance and development of bilateral aviation relations between the United States and Cabo Verde.
In September 2003, Cabo Verde first gained FAA Category 1 status, with backing from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Skies for Africa Program and technical assistance from The Wicks Group – a U.S.-based aviation consulting and legal firm. Soon thereafter, TACV, Cabo Verde’s national carrier, launched non-stop, regularly-scheduled service to Boston, Massachusetts, connecting the African island nation to its North American diaspora communities.
During this most recent IASA assessment, The Wicks Group provided extensive technical, legal, and political support to Cabo Verde. The Wicks Group undertook a specific work plan designed to address the training of newly hired and existing inspectors to ensure proper qualification; the enhancement of the designee oversight system; the comprehensive re-certification of the national carrier; the refinement of the surveillance and enforcement program; and the further development of civil aviation regulations and inspector guidance material.
The Wicks Group consultants have assisted seven foreign civil aviation authorities achieve or maintain and existing Category 1 rating in the past decade, including five Category 1 achievements in the last four years. The Wicks Group also provides ongoing Category 1 sustainment services to help ensure that civil aviation authorities maintain ICAO-compliant practices over time.
For more information on The Wicks Group’s IASA-related services, please contact Glenn Wicks at (202) 457-7790 (Office) or gpwicks@wicks-group.com.