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WASHINGTON � The U.S. Department of Transportation�s Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that the Republic of Nicaragua
complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards
and has been granted a Category 1 rating.
The FAA first assessed the Republic of Nicaragua in 1994 and found it did not
meetinternational standards. While under a Category 2 rating, the country
either lacked laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in
accordance with minimum international standards, or its civil aviation authority
� a body equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters � was deficient in
one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel,
record-keeping, or inspection procedures.
The Category 1 status announced today is based on a June 2015 FAA assessment
of the safety oversight provided by theNicaraguan Institute of Civil Aviation
(INAC). During a September 2015 follow on visit to the Republic of Nicaragua,
the FAA verified the necessary corrective actions. A Category 1 rating means
the country�s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. With the
International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating, the Republic
of Nicaragua�s air carriers, which are able to secure the requisite FAA and DOT
authority, can establish service to the United States and carry the code of U.S.
carriers.
As part of the FAA�s IASA program, the agency assesses the civil aviation
authorities of all countries with air carriers that have applied to fly to the
United States, currently conduct operations to the United States, or participate
in code sharing arrangements with U.S. partner airlines, and makes that
information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not
foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA
regulations.
In order to maintain a Category 1 rating, a country must adhere to the safety
standards of ICAO, the United Nations� technical agency for aviation that
establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft
operations and maintenance. IASA information is posted at www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/iasa/.
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