"It makes sense now that the countries airline has its own FAA audit. This should allow the continued operation into the USA even if the CAA audit is a problem. Potentially a very good business decision by the airline."
Lifes Short
I think the punch line is that Governments audit Governments such as FAA auditing CAA. If an Airline has better standards so be it, but if the regulating agency, in this case SACAA is below standards, everything in that countries Aviation becomes suspect.
Thats to say any documentation that must be certified by ,again in this case SACAA wont pass muster. YOUR licenses, Aircraft Registration, ad infinito........
So trust me if the SACAA gets a big "you stink" SAA will drop their folks off in Mexico and bus them to the states...(in my case)
Based on everything thats been posted on various sites regarding da new SACAA, anything is possible.