Malaysia vows improvements after aviation downgrade
Malaysia’s Civil Aviation Authority has pledged to nnake changes after its air safety rating was downgraded by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
After conducting an audit in April the FAA cut the safety rating to a category 2.
It means no Malaysia airline can be approved for new flights to the US and new reciprocal codesharing agreements between the two countries would be put on hold.
While this was unlikely it is still a blow to Malaysian aviation’s credibility.
Aviation agency CAAM acknowledged its ‘shortcomings’ and aims to put them right.
"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," it said.
"The chief executive officer of the CAAM tendered his resignation on Nov 1and in the interim, an executive committee of the board has been established to oversee the operations of CAAM," said chairman, Captain Ahmad Ridzwan Mohd Salleh.
CAAM hopes the FAA will review its decision within 12 months.
Meanwhile, the downgrade will not impact tourism, said finance deputy minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah.
"I don’t see why foreign tourist would stop coming to Malaysia as they can fly in using other international airlines as well, not just airlines in Malaysia," he said.
Next year the tourism ministry launches Visit Malaysia Year 2020.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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