EU air safety verdict tomorrow

EASA’s assessment will affect the international creditability of national flag carrier Thai Airways International and other Thai-registered airlines.

Yesterday, the European agency signed an agreement for a Cooperation Framework Arrangement on Aviation Safety with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

This will pave the way for the European agency to provide technical and other assistance to overhaul the Thai aviation-safety system after the “red flag” put on Thailand by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in June.

Last week, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also red-flagged Thailand, barring Thai carriers from operating more flights into the United States.

Earlier, THAI and MJets, a Thai charter-flight operator, were the only two locally registered carriers to seek a safety audit by EASA, as both operate flights into Europe.

THAI is currently operating from Bangkok to 11 European cities, while MJets also operates charter flights to Europe.

Speaking at the Thai Transport Ministry, Peter Bombay, deputy head of the European Union’s aviation-safety unit, said EASA’s assessment of THAI’s and Mjets’ safety would be announced tomorrow evening, Bangkok time.

While declining to speculate on the agency’s safety-evaluation results on these and other Thai-registered airlines, he said Thailand played an important role in boosting aviation safety in the region over the long term.

A THAI executive, who asked not to be named, said the airline was confident it would get a green light from EASA to continue flights into Europe.

But both THAI and MJets said they were ready to adopt additional safety requirements if they are sought by EASA.

Some aviation experts believe that EASA may downgrade the safety status of THAI and other carriers like the FAA did on December 1, and ban these airlines from increasing flights to Europe.

“If EASA banned THAI, it would be a big problem for the national airline,” another source said. 

Patrick Ky, executive director of EASA, said safety was a major concern, so the aviation sector needed to have a long-term development plan.

Safety problems could still happen despite airlines having achieved industry best practices.

On the agreement with EASA, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpitayapaisith said working with EASA would help Thailand solve the shortage of qualified aviation experts for aircraft inspection and other safety requirements. “We will have to issue new licences to airlines registered here. We are working to review all necessary rules and regulations to ensure all airline operators meet high performance standards,” Arkhom said.