US restores India's top aviation safety ranking

In a major shot in the arm for the Modi administration, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has restored India's top aviation safety ranking. The FAA has restored the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) to the top ranking. The DGCA had been downgraded last January following major concerns over its safety oversight capabilities and lack of technical personnel to do this job. The upgrade means that Indian carriers which fly to the US -- Air India and Jet -- will now be able to add frequencies as well as go to more cities in America. Also, the Tata-Singapore Airlines JV Vistara will be able to fly there when India relaxes the rules for new desi carriers to fly abroad shortly. "I am pleased to advise you that the hard work undertaken and completed by your government on its safety oversight system resulted in positive findings during our recent discussions. We therefore determine that India now meets the requirements under the international oversight standards of the Chicago Convention.... India shall be immediately upgraded to category I," FAA wrote to DGCA chief M Sathiyavathy on Wednesday. "The DGCA has demonstrated a commitment to developing effective safety oversight of India's airline industry," adds the letter written by FAA's associate administrator for aviation safety Margaret Giligan. The downgrade had meant that Indian carriers flying to the US were not able to add any more flight there or have a new destination city in America. Also, US authorities could hold up their aircraft for checks and delay them their flights. What's worse, other countries can also express doubts at Indian carriers' safety record and insist on coming here for checks.