Civil Aviation Authority admits to ‘shortcomings’ following surprise FAA downgrade

KUALA LUMPUR: The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has requested a reassessment by the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following its downgrade of Malaysia’s air safety rating from Category 1 to Category 2, on Monday.

The downgrade followed an FAA review of CAAM, which was carried out in April this year, Bernama reported.

Responding to the news, the CAAM acknowledged that there were “shortcomings” in its performance as an aviation regulator, but stressed that plans are underway to address the findings of FAA’s audit.

It said it hopes that the FAA will review its decision within the next 12 months.

“Given the critical nature of aviation, the CAAM takes the FAA’s assessment constructively and has moved to make serious changes in its structure and operations.

“The chief executive officer of the CAAM tendered his resignation on Nov 1, 2019; and in the interim, an executive committee of the board has been established to oversee the operations of CAAM,” its chairman, Captain Ahmad Ridzwan Mohd Salleh, said in a statement here, last night.

He added that the Transport Ministry has been informed of the developments.

The FAA, which carries out audits of regulators which oversee the operation of flights into the United States, reviewed CAAM in the areas of legislation, oversight, delegation of authority, and number of technical personnel.

Ahmad Ridzwan said that the assessment only covers CAAM’s role as an aviation regulator, and does not reflect the status of Malaysia’s airlines, airports or air traffic services which fall under its purview.

Nevertheless, the consequence of the downgrade is that airlines licensed by CAAM – including Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, AirAsiaX and Malindo – are restricted from adding new routes to and from the United States.

Ahmad Ridzwan underscored, however, that CAAM continues to contribute to the development and oversight of aviation via its seat on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council – the standards and legislation of which it remains in full compliance.

Source: NST