THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Aviation safety overhaul to be completed by Aug 2016

Aviation safety overhaul to be completed by Aug 2016

WORRIES THAT THE EUROPEAN AGENCY WILL FOLLOW IN FOOTSTEPS OF THE US IN DOWNGRADING THAILAND

THAI AUTHORITIES are expected to complete the overhaul of the national aviation safety system by August next year, after which the country should qualify to have the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s red flag on safety concern lifted, according to the Transport Ministry.
The new deadline is about five months later than initially planned, said the ministry, after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday downgraded Thailand’s aviation status over safety concerns.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he was informed of the FAA downgrade in advance, adding that Thai authorities are working hard to solve the problems and meet international safety standards.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said there should be no panic as remedial actions were under way, but he admitted it would take time to solve safety problems that have accumulated over several years.
However, and other deputy PM, Somkid Jatusripitak, warned of psychological impacts from the FAA downgrade, even though the economic effects might not be significant since Thai Airways International (THAI) does not operate flights to the United States.
He said Thailand had to turn the situation into an opportunity to overhaul the aviation safety system so as to boost international confidence.
The FAA downgrade is understood to be based on the ICAO’s red flag, which was placed on Thailand’s aviation sector in June. 
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to follow the FAA’s example on December 10 when it announces the findings of its latest investigation.
On Tuesday, the FAA announced that Thailand did not comply with ICAO safety standards and so had been relegated from Category 1 to Category 2 based on a reassessment of the country’s civil-aviation authority.
The FAA move followed discussions with Thai authorities that ended on October 28.
The FAA previously gave Thailand a Category 2 rating in 1996, before an upgrade the following year. After reassessments in 2001 and 2008, Thailand maintained the Category 1 rating.
Transport Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit said his ministry would take about nine months to solve 23 to 34 significant safety problems found by the ICAO and the FAA. The new deadline has been set for August 2016.
Preecha Pradubmook, secretary of a task force responsible for resolving civil-aviation issues, said it would take more than four months to solve the problems, including insufficient laws and regulations, low safety standards, issues of aircraft operation and maintenance standards, and a shortage of aviation experts and trained officers.
The ministry has asked the ICAO for an organisation and management model to help resolve the problems. It has also asked for expert help on revising aviation regulations.
THAI president Charamporn Jotikasthira said the airline would not be affected because it did not operate direct flights to the US, after the termination of its Bangkok-Los Angeles route on October 25. The airline currently operates to 11 cities in Europe, a region that generates one-third of THAI’s revenue. The airline has prepared some plans to deal with Europe if the EASA makes a similar downgrade to the FAA.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways, the country’s largest private carrier, said it would not face any significant impacts from the FAA downgrade either as there was no flight service between Thailand and the US.
Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, said it also did not operate any routes to the US, nor did it have any code-share agreements with US carriers.
According to an aviation-industry research note by Maybank, the FAA’s decision was not entirely unexpected. There have been rumblings for several months that a downgrade was likely after the ICAO gave Thailand a red flag in June.
The impact of the FAA’s decision is that Thai airlines could suffer from higher lease rates, stricter maintenance covenants and increased insurance premiums.
The next hurdle for Thai aviation is that the EASA will release its results in mid-December. If the EASA downgrades, THAI is likely to be the most affected.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents said the country’s image had been damaged by poor management. 
He urged the authorities to restore the confidence of international airlines and authorities as soon as possible.
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