FAA downgrades safety rating for Barbados

The US Federal Aviation Administration has assigned Barbados a category two safety rating, which means that the island does not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The downgrade is based on an assessment by Barbados' civil aviation authority. As a result, Barbados' air carriers which do not currently serve the United States (US), cannot establish US service.

Currently, no airline from Barbados offers US flights and the category two rating prohibits those carriers from establishing new US service.

REDjet, the only Barbados-based carrier, is yet to get off the ground but is expected to commence operations soon.

An International Aviation Safety Assessment category two rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

- CMC