India \\\'disappointed\\\' after US downgrades air safety ranking

NEW DELHI, Jan 31 (AFP): US aviation authorities have downgraded India's safety ranking in a "disappointing" and "surprising" move that will hit air links between the countries, India's aviation minister said Friday.

The US Federal Aviation Administration downgraded India after conducting an audit last year of India's aviation regulator that found 31 areas of concern, a statement said.

The areas of concern include better recruitment and training of professional and technical staff for India's aviation regulator, responsible for the safety of the country's airlines.

"They have downgraded us to category 2, which is very disappointing and also surprising," Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said at a press conference in New Delhi.