The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) today admitted that there were "some shortcomings" after an audit on it by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) led to an air safety ratings downgrade.

"Whilst CAAM acknowledges that in carrying out its duties as an aviation regulator, some shortcomings exist," CAAM chairperson Ahmad Ridzwan Mohd Salleh said in a statement tonight.

However, he did not reveal the nature of the shortcomings that prompted the downgrade.

Ridzwan stressed that the safety rating downgrade is specifically directed at the aviation authority and not specific airlines.

However, he said Malaysia-based airlines would be affected as a result of the safety rating downgrade.

"This categorisation is not an assessment of airlines, airports or air traffic services that fall under the purview of CAAM.

"However, due to being listed as a Category 2 Regulator, airlines licenced by CAAM will not be able to add new routes to and from the United States," he said.

Ridzwan said CAAM will work to have its Category 1 status restored.

"CAAM has requested the FAA to conduct a reassessment within the next 12 months with the intention of having its Category 1 status restored," he said.

Ridzwan said CAAM took FAA's findings seriously and will address them.

"Given the critical nature of aviation, CAAM takes the FAA's assessment constructively and has moved to make serious changes in its structure and operations.

"The CAAM chief executive officer has tendered his resignation on the Nov 1 and in the interim, an executive committee of the board has been established to oversee the operations of CAAM.

"The Transport Ministry has been informed of these internal developments," he said.

Ridzwan said the CAAM continues to contribute to the development and oversight of the aviation industry via its seat on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council.

"It also remains fully in compliance with all ICAO standards and legislation, having being audited by ICAO as recently as the middle of 2019," he said.