WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Kenya complies with international safety standards and has been granted a Category 1 rating under the agencys International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program.

A Category 1 rating means Kenyas civil aviation authority meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. With the Category 1 rating, Kenyan air carriers that are able to secure the requisite FAA and DOT authority can establish service to the United States and carry the code of U.S. carriers.

The FAA had not previously assessed Kenya's civil aviation authority for compliance with ICAO standards. The Category 1 status announced today is based on a February, 2017 FAA assessment of the safety oversight provided by Kenyas Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

As part of the FAAs IASA program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that have applied to fly to the United States, currently conduct operations to the United States, or participate in code sharing arrangements with U.S. partner airlines, and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.

In order to maintain a Category 1 rating, a country must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance. IASA information is posted at www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/iasa/.