BOEING APPLAUDS KOREAN AVIATION REGULATORY UPGRADE

The Boeing Company congratulates the Republic of Korea, its airlines and aviation regulators following the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announcement that the country is fully compliant with international aviation standards. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets the worldwide standard for aviation safety.

The U.S. agency reassessed the Republic of Korea Civil Aviation Bureau, giving the country a Category 1 rating. Compliance with Category 1 indicates that the nation's civil aviation authority fully complies with ICAO standards as assessed by FAA inspectors. Further, the status indicates the FAA has concluded that the country's air carriers are licensed and regulated in accordance with ICAO aviation safety standards.

"This is tremendous news for our great customers in the Republic of Korea," said Chet Ekstrand, vice president, Operational Regulatory Affairs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are first-rate carriers and have worked intensely with the Korean Civil Aviation Bureau to ensure all criteria are fully met."

The Korean government and the airlines have ensured that appropriately trained personnel fulfill the requirement to provide proper documentation of standards and processes. Boeing supported the reassessment process by providing advice and counsel concerning training, inspections and documentation.

Operations to and from the United States may only be expanded by carriers based in countries that have attained Category 1 status.