KUALA LUMPUR: The reinstatement of Malaysia's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) rating to Category 1 (Cat1) by the United States of America's (USA) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will strengthen Malaysia's position as an aviation hub and increase its network connectivity.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood said the Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT) and Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) had put in massive efforts to ensure that Malaysia's IASA Cat1 rating was reinstated.
"It is truly commendable considering that this was done while the national aviation industry is still dealing with the after affects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The reinstatement will enhance global confidence in the quality of our air navigation services," he said in a statement today.
Iskandar is part of the Malaysian delegation at the 41st assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal, Canada.
Last night, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said Malaysia had regained its Cat1 International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) safety rating.
"Very happy to announce that Malaysia has regained her Category 1 IASA safety rating from the US Federal Aviation Administration.
"I will be holding a virtual press conference in Montreal, Canada at 8.30am Saturday, Oct 1 for the media back home in Malaysia," Wee said in an Instagram post.
Iskandar said from MAHB's perspective, this would help in its marketing efforts to attract more airlines to operate in Malaysia thus increasing the country's network connectivity and hub potential.
Iskandar added that the airport operator would continue to provide critical support for the enhancement of air navigation services.
He cited the on-going Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) integrated system initiative as one example.
The A-CDM integrated system will integrate the operations of the airport, air traffic control, airlines and ground handlers on a unified platform in order to improve air traffic operations through enhanced predictability of events and optimal utilisation of resource.