The US Federal Aviation Administration has downgraded Malaysia’s air safety rating, restricting the country’s airlines from adding flights to the United States, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.

Malaysia has been downgraded to Category 2, said the sources, who did not want to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia was not immediately available for comment.

The new rating means the air carriers from the country cannot start new services and are restricted to current levels of any existing service to the US. 

The carriers would also be subject to additional inspections at US airports.

- Reuters

MH360 turn-back due to landing gear problem - MAS

MH360 turn-back due to landing gear problem - MAS

MAS, SIA sign wide-ranging commercial agreement

MAS, SIA sign wide-ranging commercial agreement

Putrajaya needs to inject RM1b a year to keep MAS flying - Khazanah

Putrajaya needs to inject RM1b a year to keep MAS flying - Khazanah

Mavcom approves 31 air traffic rights applications for Q3 2019

Mavcom approves 31 air traffic rights applications for Q3 2019