US aviation regulators have upgraded the rating of the Philippines, the country’s Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya has announced.
The upgrade to category 1 status by the Federal Aviation Administration will allow airlines access to new direct routes to US cities.
In 2008 the FAA downgraded the Philippines to category 2 after it failed to comply with international safety standards.
After the downgrade, the country set up a new independent regulatory body for aviation standards.
Minister Abaya said the upgrade will be a major boost for tourism.
"This upgrade cements a landmark era in the Philippine aviation sector," he said.
Philippine Airlines currently operates 28 flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Guam, and has ongoing plans to serve East Coast cities.
The upgraded status is also a timely boost to prominent low cost carriers Cebu Air and Air Asia Philippines, both rapidly expanding in Asia Pacific and beyond.
The markets responded in positive fashion to the news, with shares of Philippine Airlines rising 2.9% and Cebu Air up 4.3% in early trading directly after the FAA announcement.
