[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22141]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 129

 

Public Disclosure of the Results of Foreign Civil Aviation 
Authority Assessments

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Policy statement.

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SUMMARY: On August 24, 1992, the Federal Aviation Administration 
announced a new policy and procedures related to the assessment of 
foreign Civil Aviation Authorities that certificate foreign air 
carriers operating into the United States. This document announces a 
modification to that policy. Under the modified policy, the FAA is 
adopting measures to be observed regarding the public disclosure of the 
results of foreign Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assessments. Comments 
by concerned parties are invited.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This policy modification is effective on September 8, 
1994. Comments on this policy must be received on or before October 11, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Federal Aviation Administration, Office of 
Public Affairs, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. John Lynch, Flight Standards International Programs Office, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20501; (202) 267-3844.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
    The international standards governing air safety are embodied in 
the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 61 Stat. 1180 (Chicago 
Convention), and its related Annexes. The effectiveness of the 
Convention as a means of assuring aviation safety depends upon 
adherence to its requirements by the United States and the other 
parties to the treaty. The FAA believes that most, but not all, 
countries
that have accepted the Convention's obligations generally endeavor to 
carry them out faithfully. However, the FAA also believes that the 
efficacy of the Convention can be enhanced. This belief is based on the 
FAA's observations both of foreign air carrier operations at points 
within the United States and over 30 assessments of foreign CAAs.
    Under the policy announced at 57 FR 38342, August 24, 1992, the FAA 
establishes formal contact with a CAA of a foreign air carrier that 
possesses or seeks approval to operate to or from the United States. 
The purpose of such contacts is to ensure that the aviation safety 
standards set forth in the Chicago Convention and in any applicable 
bilateral air transport agreements are met.
    The primary means of ensuring compliance with international safety 
standards is through the on-site assessment of a CAA. The FAA has 
conducted over 30 such assessments with mixed results. Upon initial 
assessment, fully two-thirds of the CAAs assessed were deficient in 
some manner relative to their obligations under the Chicago Convention. 
The FAA entered into direct consultations with many of the CAAs 
(governments) found deficient. As a direct result of these 
consultations, many CAAs have updated and enhanced their safety 
oversight resources and infrastructure to comply fully with their 
obligations under the Chicago Convention. However, several CAAs 
initially found to be deficient still are not complying with their 
international aviation safety obligations. Countries unwilling or 
unable to comply with their obligations under the Chicago Convention 
are our immediate concern.

Public Disclosure

    The purpose of the public disclosure policy adopted by the FAA at 
this time is to allow the public to make informed travel decisions by 
providing information regarding international aviation safety standards 
and compliance. General assessment program findings, as they relate to 
the capability of a respective CAA to meet international aviation 
standards, will be released to the public through the Department of 
State Consular Information System and the FAA Hotline.
    The FAA has established three categories of ratings to signify the 
status of a foreign CAA's compliance with ICAO safety standards: 
acceptable, conditional, and unacceptable.
    Category I, Acceptable, applies to a foreign CAA that has been 
assessed by FAA inspectors and has been found to license and oversee 
air carriers in accordance with ICAO safety standards.
    Category II, Conditional, applies to a foreign CAA where FAA 
inspectors found areas of non-compliance with ICAO safety standards and 
the FAA is negotiating actively with the CAA to implement corrective 
measures. During such negotiations, the FAA permits flights to operate 
into the United States and the FAA conducts heightened surveillance of 
the flights.
    Category III, Unacceptable, applies to a foreign CAA found to be in 
non-compliance with ICAO standards for aviation safety. Unacceptable 
ratings apply if the country or CAA has not developed or implemented 
laws or regulations in accordance with ICAO standards; if the CAA lacks 
the technical expertise or resources to license or oversee civil 
aviation; if it lacks the flight operations capability to certify, 
oversee, and enforce air carrier operations requirements; if it lacks 
the aircraft maintenance capability to certify, oversee, and enforce 
air carrier maintenance requirements; or if it lacks the appropriately 
trained inspector personnel required by ICAO standards. Operations to 
and from the United States by foreign air carriers whose oversight is 
provided by these CAAs are not permitted.

Future Assessments

    The desire to ensure that foreign air carriers operating into the 
United States are indeed receiving all the regulatory oversight by 
their respective governments mandated by the Chicago Convention will 
remain the driving force behind the assessment program.
    When the FAA is notified that a foreign air carrier is seeking 
authority to initiate operations into the United States, the FAA will 
continue its policy of verifying that the responsible CAA is providing 
sufficient oversight to ensure continuous safe international air 
carrier operations in accordance with the Chicago Convention and any 
applicable bilateral air transport agreement. If the FAA is satisfied 
that the foreign CAA is providing adequate oversight, the FAA will 
notify the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST). After OST 
issues the carrier its foreign air carrier permit or exemption, the FAA 
will issue Part 129 operations specifications. Conversely, if the FAA 
is not satisfied, then the FAA will recommend to OST that a foreign air 
carrier permit or exemption not be issued, and the FAA will not issue 
Part 129 operations specifications to the foreign air carrier.
    The FAA also will continue to verify information regarding CAA's 
with foreign air carriers already holding FAA operations 
specifications. When the capability of a CAA is in question, the FAA 
will take all appropriate and necessary actions within its jurisdiction 
and discretion, including the public release of the assessment findings 
and a recommendation to the DOT for revocation or suspension of the air 
carrier's economic authority.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 2, 1994.
Anthony J. Broderick,
Associate Administrator for Regulation & Certification.
[FR Doc. 94-22141 Filed 9-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M