Philippines downgraded by FAA...

[PA-28-180]

The following from a U.S. Embassy notification to expats:
U.S. Embassy Manila

Warden Message

January 15, 2008

THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU.



Philippines Civil Aviation Safety Caution

On December 26, 2007, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed the Government of the Philippines that it has revised the Philippines’ aviation safety oversight category from Category 1 to Category 2 due to serious concerns about the Philippine Air Transportation Office’s oversight of air carrier operations. Category 2 indicates that the FAA has assessed the Government of the Philippines’ Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards for the oversight of Philippine air carrier operations. While in Category 2, Philippine air carriers will be permitted to continue current operations to the United States, but will be under heightened FAA surveillance. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s website at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.

Whenever possible, Americans traveling to and from the Philippines should fly to their destinations on international carriers from countries whose civil aviation authorities meet international aviation safety standards for the oversight of their air carrier operations under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program.

The Embassy strongly encourages Americans in the Philippines, including short-term visitors, to register with the Embassy in Manila. Registration may be done on-line at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Information on registration procedures, all security-related Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, and recent Embassy warden messages are posted on the Embassy’s website at http://manila.usembassy.gov.

The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. 63-2-301-2000. The Consular American Citizen Services (ACS) section's fax number is 63-2-301-2017.

One would have to say that this is NOT exactly a 'shock'. This is primarily in response to the local Air Transport Office not really having regulatory authority over local air carriers.

[lomapaseo]

Follow Up mentions airline concern

PAL urges gov’t to recover safety rating with FAA

MANILA, Philippines --Flag carrier Philippine Airlines called on the Philippine government to try to recover its safety rating with the United States' Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), saying the carrier’s expansion plans might be stymied because FAA downgraded the country's rating in its international air safety assessment.

"If the Philippines does not recover the Category 1 rating within 18 months, it will seriously affect our plans. We are urging the government to exert effort to recover its Category 1 standing. We are willing to help and offer our resources," PAL president Jaime Bautista said in a press briefing Tuesday afternoon.


INQUIRER.net reported Monday that the FAA had included the Philippines in a list of countries that failed to "provide safety oversight of its air carrier operators in accordance with the minimum safety oversight standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization."

The downgrading affected PAL as the only Philippine flag carrier operating in the US.

Bautista said this might result in foregone revenue corresponding to 10-percent growth.

PAL is getting ready to mount additional flights to the US and Canada.

North America is PAL's biggest regional market, contributing 30 percent of the flag carrier's total revenue.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=112496

[akerosid]

Particularly bad timing for PR, given that it has a significant commitment to the 777-300ER. Hopefully this can be rectified sooner rather than later.

[mark sicknote]

I hold a Philippine ATO issued PPL. Does anyone know if this change will affect a future conversion to US / UK PPL?

Thanks in advance,

Sicknote

[powerstall]

hmmm... seems strange though, how come the downgrade was issued just now when another very rapidly expanding carrier situated just a few meters away from their hub in manila are making plans of reaching out to the west coast and not just regionally... when this downgrade may cause problems for the other airlines expansion plans....:=:=

[PA-28-180]

Powerstall....
Assume you're speaking of Cebu Pacific. I heard their plan was to fly to the States from CLARK, not Manila-though it has no bearing on the safety downgrade. Are you actually suggesting that Lucio Tan, etal, had something to do with the FAA downgrade??:E

[powerstall]

facts aren't that concrete and some rumors are spreading around...
we really wouldn't know won't we? :E

when in doubt..... go-around..... :ok: