US reinstates Thailand's top aviation safety rating

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday said it had upgraded Thailand's air safety rating to "Category 1" a decade after it downgraded the country in 2015.

The lower "Category 2" designation had meant Thai airlines were prevented from launching or expanding services to the United States, either directly or as code-share partners.

The higher Category 1 rating means Thailand complies with International Civil Aviation Organization’s safety standards.