San Marino recently received a Category 1 rating from the FAA, a recognition that it is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. With a Category 1 rating, San Marino air carriers may provide service in the U.S. and enter into code-share agreements with U.S. carriers without limitation, the FAA said.
The recognition followed San Marino’s completion of its first FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA). Under the IASA program, the FAA evaluates an aviation authority when carriers from their country either apply to provide service or participate in code-share agreements with airlines from the U.S.
The rating came as San Marino had increased its ICAO “Effective Implementation” global safety ranking score from 67.23 percent in 2010 to the current 90.21, the San Marino Aircraft Registry (SMAR) noted, adding that the nation further received the ICAO Council Presidential Certificate in 2016 in recognition of its progress in resolving safety oversight deficiencies and implementing international standards. This set the stage for the FAA rating.
"This is an excellent achievement for San Marino,” said SMAR president David Colindres of the FAA finding. “This means that every San Marino commercial operator can now take direct flights to and from the U.S. to Rimini-San Marino Airport. This also opens the door for US citizens to reach the Italian Adriatic Riviera more quickly and easily through Rimini-San Marino airport.