David Knibb/SEATTLE
Peru has been in category 1 since 1997, but the USA has still refused to allow Peruvian airlines to fly their own aircraft into the USA since last year.
When LanPeru and Aerocontinente replaced AeroPeru on US routes, Washington required them to wet-lease aircraft from another category 1 country.
That unprecedented requirement brought loud protests from Lima and led Aerocontinente to suspend services. It was widely believed Washington's wet-lease rule stemmed from FAA concerns about Peru's safety oversight, despite its category 1 status, although this was never admitted by the US Government.
Ever since FAA officials visited Lima in July, Peru has been braced for a likely downgrade and an operational freeze on flights to the USA. But sources hint that the FAA came under pressure from Washington over its heavy-handed and contrary treatment of Peru. Since the assessment programme was started, the FAA has changed Peru's status from 1 to 2 and then back to 1.
While the cloud of a downgrade still loomed, Lima was left little choice but to develop a get-tough attitude with US carriers, despite its open skies bilateral with the USA.
In July, Peru's director general of civil aeronautics refused to approve a Continental Airlines request for fifth freedoms beyond Peru to Bolivia and Chile. Without local traffic rights, Continental has suspended the flights. Lima also hinted that it might renounce its bilateral if the FAA downgraded Peru again.
With Peru's status confirmed, Aerocontinente may resume US flights and TacaPeru has said it will launch new routes to the USA.
Source: Airline Business
