FAA upgrades Israel safety rating

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has upgraded its safety rating of Israel.

The FAA on Thursday returned Israel to its list of nations that comply with International Civil Aviation Organization standards with a Category 1 ranking, based on an FAA review last month of Israel's civil aviation authority, the Associated Press reported.

The status upgrade allows Israeli airlines to partner with U.S. airlines, and to expand their service to the U.S.

Israel's safety rating was downgraded to a Category 2 rating by the FAA in 2008,which allowed Israeli air carriers  to maintain existing services to the U.S.