The Wicks Group (TWG) successfully assisted the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with achieving compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as determined through an audit by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As a result, Trinidad and Tobago has retained its Category 1 safety rating under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program.
As part of the FAA’s IASA program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities (CAAs) of all countries having air carriers that operate to, or apply to fly to, the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign CAAs are meeting the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.
A Category 1 rating means the country’s CAA complies with ICAO standards for safety oversight and monitoring. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its CAA is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures.
TWG provided extensive technical, legal, and political support to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago throughout the IASA audit process. Following a March 2012 diplomatic note, the FAA carried out an audit of the TTCAA in July 2012 that identified several deficiencies. TWG worked closely with the TTCAA on developing and executing an action plan that brought Trinidad and Tobago’s safety oversight system into full compliance with ICAO’s standards and practices. On November 8, 2012, FAA met with TTCAA representatives and confirmed that the country will be retaining its Category 1 rating.
With the IASA Category 1 rating, Trinidad and Tobago air carriers can add flights and service to the United States and carry the code of U.S. carriers. In contrast, had the country received a Category 2 rating, Trinidad and Tobago air carriers would have been restricted to maintaining existing service to the United States. Information on the IASA program is available at www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/iasa/.
TWG is a legal and consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. and specializes in aviation work. TWG has a proven track record of assisting CAAs worldwide in achieving compliance with ICAO safety standards and achieving an FAA IASA Category 1 rating. For more information on TWG please visit www.wicks-group.com or contact Glenn P. Wicks, Managing Director, at (202) 457-7790 or gpwicks@wicks-group.com.