By David Shepardson
(Reuters) – The U.N. aviation council this week will launch the primary audit of the U.S. civil aviation security oversight system since 2007, a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration official instructed reporters on Tuesday.
The Worldwide Civil Aviation Group (ICAO) will conduct the two-week audit with 12 auditors from 10 international locations, starting on Wednesday. Outcomes are due in January. It would evaluate the FAA, the Nationwide Transportation Security Board, the Protection Division, Federal Communications Fee and different U.S. businesses concerned in aviation.
There will probably be 790 questions overlaying eight areas together with civil aviation laws and regulation, plane accident and incidents investigations, air navigation companies. Audits assist the ICAO decide implementation of worldwide requirements.
A superb rating would permit the U.S. to show management in assembly strong aviation security requirements and to encourage nations all over the world to do the identical, the FAA official stated.
The U.S. has the world’s most complicated airspace and has a powerful security file with the final deadly U.S. passenger airline crash in February 2009. The final ICAO audit of the U.S. was in 2007 was below a distinct methodology.
The FAA additionally audits different international locations for compliance with ICAO security requirements. The FAA downgraded Mexico in Could 2021 and restored Mexico’s larger ranking in September, which allowed Mexican carriers to increase U.S. routes and add new service.
The FAA has struggled with a persistent scarcity of air visitors controllers and a sequence of near-miss incidents, together with some blamed on controller errors.
At a number of amenities, controllers are working necessary time beyond regulation and six-day work weeks to cowl shortages. The FAA is in need of staffing targets by about 3,000 controllers. Final month, the FAA stated it was once more extending cuts to minimal flight necessities at congested New York Metropolis-area airports by way of October 2025, citing air visitors controller staffing shortages.
