The US airline regulatory body, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has extended the accreditation of the maintenance, repair and overhaul subsidiary of South African Airways (SAA), SAA Technical (SAAT), following a reaudit of SAAT’s maintenance facilities and personnel.

The subsidiary said on Tuesday that the FAA had extended its accreditation to the end of June next year, which allowed SAAT to perform maintenance on any US-registered aircraft or components for such aircraft.

“FAA approval is an important mark of our ability to provide a specialised service according to the highest standards expected by aircraft operators around the world. Being recognised by this respected international aviation body gives us further credibility in terms of our commitment to safe practices,” said SAAT acting CEO Captain Stefan Poprawa.

The company added that many airline operators required a FAA-approved facility to perform their maintenance, in addition to being approved by their applicable national regulatory body. This was irrespective of where their aircraft was registered.

The inspection of its facilities and services was carried over about five days by five FAA inspectors.

The US body has performed yearly audits of SAAT’s facilities and services since 1994.

A number of criteria had to be fulfilled to become FAA approved, including: having suitably qualified and an adequate number of personnel, approved training programmes for personnel, appropriate tooling and equipment, adequate technical manuals, knowledge of FAA regulations and requirements, and the retention of records for work performed and the maintenance of equipment conducted.

Aircraft maintenance conducted by SAAT is also governed by the South African regulatory body, the Civil Aviation Authority, as well as by the European Aviation Safety Agency.