Bad Press for CAAP

In a press conference held at the CAAP headquarters in Pasay City yesterday morning, the  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) informed that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found 23 “critical elements” which the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines  needs to address before the country can regain its “Category 1” safety status.

In 2007, the FAA downgraded the Philippines to Category 2 status after finding 88 critical elements. The CAAP has since addressed 65 issues.. The ICAO later conducted its own audit in October 2009 that resulted in findings of a Significant Safety Concern, thereby reinforcing the FAA findings. It cited “open items” or unmet issues on the implementation of air safety oversight, and inadequate security systems. 
In 2010, the European Union, following the FAA’s lead, also blacklisted the Philippines and banned Philippine carriers from flying to Europe. 

The CAAP technical team will fly to the FAA headquarters in Washington next month to present the agency’s action plan on how to address the 23 critical elements.