Curaçao targets FAA review in 2027 and explores U.S. preclearance at Hato Airport
Curaçao plans to seek an FAA aviation assessment in 2027 while exploring U.S. border preclearance at Hato Airport.
Curaçao plans to invite the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to assess its aviation oversight system in 2027, MP David Seferina told Parliament's Central Committee on Tuesday 20 October. Curaçao has held the FAA's Category 2 rating since 2012, according to the report.
Seferina made the statement as Parliament reviewed a proposed Aviation Ordinance. The measure is intended to update aviation legislation and oversight of airlines, airports, aircraft maintenance companies and other aviation businesses, the report said.
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Seferina said the government has been working on issues identified during earlier inspections, including the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority's finances and independence, recruitment of inspectors, staff training and aviation-safety rules.
MAN-PIN parliamentary leader Giselle Mc William asked for details of issues identified in earlier FAA and International Civil Aviation Organization inspections. PAR parliamentarian Shaheen Elhage questioned whether legislation without sufficient staff, funding, equipment and coordination would improve oversight.
Separately, Justice Minister Shalten Hato held talks in Washington with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on a possible immigration and customs preclearance facility at Hato Airport. Such a facility would allow travellers bound for the United States to complete U.S. immigration, customs and agricultural checks before departure.
The proposal could require negotiations on airport facilities, security, baggage handling and the authority of U.S. border officers, as well as possible cooperation with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
File photo: Matti Blume / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped, SXM Today mark added
