U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces Improved Aviation Safety Rating for India

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced today that India complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and has been granted a Category 1 rating under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program.  The announcement was made during a meeting between Secretary Foxx and India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Ashok Gajapathi Raju in India’s capital city, New Delhi. 

“U.S. and Indian aviation officials have an important, cooperative working relationship,” said Secretary Foxx.  “The United States Government commends the Government of India for taking corrective action to address the safety oversight issues identified during the IASA process.” 

A Category 1 rating means that the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards and permits India’s air carriers to add flights to the United States using their own aircraft and carry the code of U.S. carriers on their operations.  

“Our countries will continue to work together to meet the challenges of ensuring safety in international civil aviation,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. 

India first achieved a Category 1 rating in August 1997.  A December 2012 FAA audit identified some deficiencies in the DGCA from ICAO-set global standards for oversight of aviation safety which led to a Category 2 designation.  Subsequently, the FAA began a reassessment of India’s compliance with ICAO standards under the FAA’s IASA program.