The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on September 20, 2013 that Ukraine has achieved compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on the results of a July FAA review of Ukraine’s civil aviation authority.
Under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, the FAA assesses whether another country’s oversight of its air carriers that operate, or seek to operate, into the U.S., or codeshare with a U.S. air carrier, complies with international aviation safety standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The FAA has established two ratings for the status of countries at the time of the assessment. When the FAA issues a Category 1 rating it means that the FAA has determined that the country has demonstrated that it meets the ICAO standards for each of the critical elements of civil aviation safety oversight. A Category 2 is assigned when the FAA determines that the country does not comply with ICAO standards under the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944).
Ukraine was upgraded to IASA Category 1 from the Category 2 safety rating the country received from the FAA in June 2005. Now that Ukraine has achieved Category 1 status, Ukrainian air carriers can apply for new service to the U.S., expand existing services, and code-share with U.S. carriers. The Wicks Group is proud to be currently working with Ukraine International Airlines in the initiation of their operations to the United States.
The State Civil Aviation Administration of Ukraine (SAAU) worked with the FAA to develop an action plan to bring its safety oversight system fully into compliance with ICAO’s standards for each of the critical elements. Beginning in 2012, the Wicks Group provided technical assistance and strategic support to the SAAU in implementing the corrective action plan, and interfacing with the DOT, FAA and Department of State.
In order to maintain a Category 1 rating, countries with air carriers that fly to the U.S. must maintain adherence to ICAO standards. The Wicks Group consultants have assisted numerous CAAs with achieving a Category 1 rating or maintaining an existing Category 1 rating following an FAA IASA audit. We also provide ongoing Category 1 sustainment services to help CAAs ensure they maintain ICAO-compliant policies, procedures, and practices over time. In compliment to these services, the Wicks Group regularly assists foreign air carriers with obtaining necessary certifications to operate to the United States.
The FAA press release can be viewed at: http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=15156 . For more information about TWG’s IASA-related services, please contact Glenn Wicks at (240) 643-0504 (mobile) or gpwicks@wicks-group.com.