Aviation Body Needs Shake-up Post FAA Downgrade

By Ushar Daniele

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26

FEB 2021

Malaysia’s household domestic carrier has been a prominent carrier that has stamped its excellence in the global industry.
Over the years, it rivalled Middle Eastern airlines, brought pride to Malaysia as the Jalur Gemilang soared through the global airspace.
However, Malaysia’s wings were clipped back when in November 2019, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Malaysia’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) from Category 1 to 2.
The downgrade means Malaysia airline carriers will not be able to establish new routes into the country or fly in its airspace.
The ASEAN Economist in 2019 reported that a Category 1 status showed full compliance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Captain Abdul Rahmat Omar, Aviation and Maritime Safety Consultant explained that a category 2 FAA rating means there may be deficiencies in several areas. These may include technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping and inspection procedures as per the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“The FAA had identified 33 areas pertaining to the categories mentioned above that need rectifications and improvements by the CAAM.”
He says the downgrade also means the airlines originating from Malaysia such as Malaysia Airlines and AirAsiaX will not be allowed to fly anywhere over the US. They will not be able to increase the flights to and from the country.
However, the findings by the FAA do not affect airlines originating from Malaysia, its air traffic services, or operations and management of its airports.
“It only affects the areas of legislation, oversight, the delegation of authority and the adequacy of the number of technical expertise in CAAM’s employment,” he says.

STRINGENT MEASURES

LEndau Analytics aviation specialist Shukor Yusof however says although the downgrade accrued in November 2019, it has weakened investment sentiment in the local aviation industry.

He says it adds to the blow caused by the downturn compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
The regulatory bodies have to get their act together, remove deadwood and upgrade their work processes if it ever wants to snag the Category 1 rating again.
“They could refresh the regulator with fresh professionals, pay proper salaries in line with Mavcom and impose stringent oversight on existing air operators certificate holders & applicants,” Shukor says.
The recent developments in Malaysian politics are too much of a distraction for a key sector like aviation to improve on every front, he adds.
It is interesting to note that after the FAA rating, the CAAM passed an audit conducted by the ICAO on its standards and legislation, says Abdul Rahman.
The aviation expert explains that although COVID-19 has played a damaging part domestically, the downgrade in the FAA rating does not matter at home.
“However, with the possibility of international travel reviving following global COVID-19 vaccination programmes, local airlines flying international routes may be affected by the regulators of other countries such as Japan, the EU and China imposing limits on airlines from Malaysia based upon the FAA findings.”
Abdul Rahmat says for CAAM to regain its Category 1 status, it must address the items on the FAA audit punch list.
Firstly, an internal and external systemic audit must be done as soon as possible, he says.

FOR GRANTED NO MORE?

Following that it has to be done on a regular basis to ensure that every department is on its toes.
“Following the first internal and external audit, CAAM should invite the FAA to conduct a review and hopefully have its Category 1 rating restored,” he says.
“It is not a very difficult thing and it only gets difficult if it is taken for granted thinking the system has reached a point where it autoruns.”
Addressing the downturn in the industry brought by the pandemic, airlines are struggling to stay afloat.
As a result, Abdul Rahmat says it would be foolish for CAAM to not improve its rating at the earliest opportunity.
“Perhaps, it is time for airlines to turn the pressure on the CAAM. Their survival also depends on the international acceptance of their regulatory body.”
Malaysia has a sizeable aviation industry with three major airline groups – Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air and AirAsia group – on top of private and general aviation operators