Aviation authorities in the United States have upgraded the safety rating of Indian airlines in a bid to increase the number of flights Indian carriers operate to the US.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the rating last year over a range of concerns, including a inadequate training and a shortage of flight inspectors.
The downgrading meant that Indian carriers – including Air India – could not increase the number of flights to the important American market whilst carriers also had to undergo extra checks on existing flights.
The FAA now says that the Indian government have addressed its concerns.
The US – with its large and wealthy Non Resident Indian community – is vitally important for loss-making Indian carriers and the FAA’s decision will go a long way in taking the industry to a new level.