The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) is making steady progress in its efforts to reclaim the region’s coveted Category One aviation rating. ECCAA Director-General Anthony Whittier has confirmed that ongoing coordination with U.S. authorities is a critical component of this process. While the recent U.S. government shutdown temporarily disrupted scheduled meetings, Whittier assured stakeholders that full engagement will resume once federal operations are restored. Speaking at ECCAA’s legal seminar on Thursday, Whittier outlined the next steps, which include a preliminary on-site visit by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical team, followed by a formal assessment to determine the region’s eligibility for the top-tier rating. Whittier emphasized that ECCAA has successfully completed all major regulatory reforms required by the FAA, including updates to aviation safety management and operational practices. These reforms are pivotal to the FAA’s evaluation process. With the regulatory phase now concluded, ECCAA awaits the FAA’s confirmation of the preliminary visit, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward regaining Category One status.