Argentinian President Eduardo Duhalde has written to the White House asking the US Federal Aviation Administration to delay downgrading the country to Category 2 under the International Aviation Safety Assessment programme. The move is an effort to avoid a further blow to Argentina's embattled airline industry.
The FAA was understood to have been on the verge of putting Buenos Aires on notice that it was going to be placed in Category 2, following a recent inspection of its civil aviation facilities and regulatory oversight capability.
The downgrade would freeze Aerolineas Argentinas' current level of services to the USA and prevent prospective newcomers LAPA and Southern Winds from launching flights or codesharing with US carriers.
Duhalde's letter is expected to buy Argentina more time to address its safety and regulatory shortcomings, say sources.
Source: Flight International
