The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a Category 1 rating to the Republic of Nicaragua.

A Category 1 rating implies that the Republic of Nicaragua complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

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ICAO is the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practisces for aircraft operations and maintenance.

"The assessments determine whether foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards."

Category 1 status has been awarded on the basis of an FAA assessment of the safety oversight provided by the Nicaraguan Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC) in June.

The FAA verified the necessary corrective actions during September.

The ranking will allow the Republic of Nicaragua to submit applications to operate their own aircraft to the US.

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The assessments determine whether foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.

The FAA first assessed the Republic of Nicaragua in 1994 and found it did not meet international standards, rating it Category 2, implying lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards.

FAA assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that have applied to fly to the US, conducting operations to the US, or participates in code sharing arrangements with US partner and makes that information available to the public.

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