The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded cargo carrier Asia Pacific Airlines.

Asia Pacific Airlines, which operates air cargo charters across the Asia Pacific region, was "unable to demonstrate that its pilots were properly trained," according to the FAA, which issued an Emergency Order of Suspension on February 1.

The FAA added that it had issued an order of suspension "after the company failed to produce records showing that the two individuals who provide proficiency checks for company pilots were properly trained and qualified for the past two years."

"Under the regulations, any flight check provided by these two individuals is invalid, meaning that none of the company's pilots are currently qualified to fly," the US agency said.

The FAA said it notified Asia Pacific in December that it was in apparent non-compliance with the regulations and urged the carrier to suspend operations until the matter was resolved.

But FAA said the Guam-based airline continued to operate.

Asia Pacific Airlines has reportedly challenged the FAA suspension. It is now also in talks with the FAA to resolve the matter surrounding the issue. 

Adam Ferguson, president at Asia Pacific Airlines, said the cargo carrier is in full compliance with all training record requirements and "is working to return to service as quickly as possible."

Asia Pacific Airlines' website notes that the carrier was formed in 1998 to serve Micronesia and the Western Pacific. It has bases in Guam and Honolulu and is an FAA part-121 supplemental all-cargo carrier. It operates a fleet of 757-200Fs.