US FAA upgrades India's aviation safety ranking, says US official

In a boost for domestic carriers flying overseas, the US Federal Aviation Administration has upgraded the country's aviation safety rating, a US official said on Wednesday.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement that India complies with international safety standards and has been granted a Category I rating by the regulator.

The FAA had conducted two safety audits in September and December 2013, after which the country's aviation safety rating was downgraded to a category II in early 2014 citing a lack of safety oversight. It meant domestic airlines could not increase flights to the United States and also faced extra checks for existing ones.

"The United States Government commends the Government of India for taking corrective action to address the safety oversight issues identified during the IASA (International Aviation Safety Assessment) process," Foxx said in the statement.

(Reuters)