Regulators in Canada are close to completing their certification of some long-delayed Gulfstream business jets, the head of the FAA said Tuesday.
“I think we’ve resolved the issues with Canada,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters in Washington, D.C., according to Reuters. “My understanding is Transport Canada will announce the Gulfstream certifications that have been delayed for years.”
Bedford said he expects a certification announcement from Canada later this week, the news outlet reported.
President Donald Trump brought the issue to the fore in January when he threatened to decertify all Canadian-made aircraft if the country did not soon certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800. He specifically called out Montreal-based Bombardier and said he would revoke certification of the company’s Global Express.
The FAA did not follow through on Trump’s threat, and Canadian aircraft remain operating in the U.S. It is not clear if the president could singlehandedly cancel aircraft certification, since the process hinges on airworthiness and safety, not political or economic interests.
A spokesperson for Canada’s transportation department told Reuters this week that regulators are continuing to work with Gulfstream and the FAA on certification of the aircraft.