'Little progress seen' on aviation safety woes

Thai AirAsia X, one of the major low-cost carriers in Thailand, has not seen any progress as claimed by some authorities, said Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, who is also supervises Thai AirAsia X.

“I don’t know why this problem cannot be solved. It should not take long,” he said.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is expected to announce results of an investigation of aviation safety in Thailand after it met with high-ranking officials overseas recently.

A source from the aviation industry said that if the ICAO is unable to give a green light to Thailand, more airlines would be unable to expand their networks.

The European Aviation Safety Agency is also eyeing Thailand’s aviation problems.

Yesterday, the US Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) resolved that Thailand has not complied with ICAO's safety standards. It thus assigned a Category II status to Civil Aviation Administration of Thailand (CAAT). The new status means that all airlines certified by the Thai aviation authorities are unable to increase flights or operate to new destinations in the United States.

The FAA’s move is a blow to the Thai aviation authorities which have been criticised of lax safety standards. It was believed that its decision would encourage the authorities in other countries to impose strict rules on Thai airlines.

Thai Airways International President Charamporn Jotikasthira said in a statement that the airline is spared from negative impacts. THAI has operated no flight to the US, after the termination of its Bangkok-Los Angeles route on October 25. 

“THAI confirms its commitment to aviation safety standards, and assures all that THAI operates with the highest international aviation safety standards,” he said.