FAA Approves Indonesian Carriers For US Flights

The US FAA has cleared Indonesian carriers to fly to the United States as it upgraded the country's aviation safety rating.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that Indonesia now complies with ICAO safety standards and has been granted a Category 1 rating.

The status change is based on a March 2016 FAA assessment of the safety oversight provided by Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Indonesian airlines were barred from flying to the US in April 2007 when the FAA downgraded its safety rating to Category 2.

In order to maintain a Category 1 rating, a country must adhere to ICAO safety standards for aircraft operations and maintenance.

Indonesian airlines were also banned from the European Union, a ban which has also been lifted.

Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is expected to launch flights to Los Angeles in 2017.