The US Federal Aviation Administration has removed the Philippines from its air safety blacklist, enabling the country's airlines to plan services to the USA.
"The country has made great strides in enhancing its aviation industry to one that is at par with the best in the world," Transportation secretary Joseph Abaya said.
The FAA put the Philippines on its Category 2 blacklist in 2008, saying it had failed to comply with international safety standards. The EU in 2010 banned Philippine carriers from flying to Europe for similar reasons.
Philippine Airlines, the only Philippine carrier with flights to the US, was only able to operate flights under heightened FAA surveillance.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has removed the Philippines from its air safety blacklist, enabling the country's airlines to plan services to the USA.
"The country has made great strides in enhancing its aviation industry to one that is at par with the best in the world," Transportation secretary Joseph Abaya said.
The FAA put the Philippines on its Category 2 blacklist in 2008, saying it had failed to comply with international safety standards. The EU in 2010 banned Philippine carriers from flying to Europe for similar reasons.
Philippine Airlines, the only Philippine carrier with flights to the US, was only able to operate flights under heightened FAA surveillance.
