MANILA, Philippines – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will help the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) improve the quality of airports and flight services in the country.

ICAO President Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez made the vow during his visit to the Philippines where he met with CAAP officials and airport authorities after arriving on Friday.

He said the ICAO, the United Nations’ international air navigation agency, will give free training to 26 CAAP officers who will serve as technical inspectors in the sector.

They will regularly assess airworthiness of aircraft, make cabin and route checks, monitor flight operations, and help CAAP ensure that airports meet international standards.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier downgraded the Philippine’s aviation rating from Category 1 to Category 2 amid concerns on the safety of the country’s air operations, which are reportedly not up to par with ICAO standards.

The European Union also banned airlines from the Philippines because of similar issues.

Meanwhile, more than 200 flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were either diverted or cancelled since June because of a breakdown in the airport’s navigational landing equipment.

A new instrument landing system (ILS) has already been installed at the NAIA, CAAP Director General Alfonso Cusi told Gonzalez.

Cusi said outdated equipment at the NAIA, CAAP officers’ lack of comprehensive training, and use of a wrong system in granting licenses to pilots resulted in the Philippines’ drop in the US-FAA rankings.

He told Gonzalez that aside from installing new ILS equipment and precision navigational instruments at the NAIA, the CAAP will improve its efforts to monitor the operation of private flying schools in the country.