Airlines ordered to draw up crisis contingency plans
THE TRANSPORT Ministry yesterday ordered all 14 Thai-registered carriers to submit flight cancellation contingency plans to prevent a repeat of a Nok Air incident on Sunday in which nine of its flights were suddenly cancelled, leaving more than 1,400 pass
Nok Air's chief executive officer Patee Sarasin declined to confirm a document released yesterday that ten senior executives in charge of flight operations and safety have been taken action against. According to the copy of order signed by Patee and seen by The Nation, a senior manager was dismissed without compensation, two were suspended for seven days from February 15 to 23 and seven others were facing investigation.
Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Chivapruck warned that any airline that failed to prevent a similar cancellation could have its aviation licence suspended and subsequently revoked. Plans must be submitted to the |ministry within 30 days.
Ormsin was speaking after chairing an urgent meeting of the 13 airlines held following Sunday’s mass cancellation. Nok Air executives weren’t at the meeting. They were busy at an internal meeting on the crisis. The affected |passengers were left without information for 10 hours at Don Mueang Airport on Sunday.
Nok Air, a budget airline 39 per cent owned by Thai Airways International, is understood to have been hit by a strike by more than 10 pilots upset at the enforcement of standards applied by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Some pilots did not meet the new |criteria.
Ormsin said that any sudden flight-service changes that affected passengers could result in a warning being issued to the airline in question. A second “offence” would result in suspension of its commercial aviation licence, which would be revoked on the third offence.
The carriers were instructed to follow consumer-protection rules in case change to flight plans without prior notice. “In such cases, the airline has to provide food and compensation of Bt200 for each passenger. If an airline fails to follow the measures, it will be fined up to Bt20,000 a day.
Nok drama spurs CAAT response
Ormsin said the Nok Air incident had spurred the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to require that all carriers prepare arrangements to minimise the inconvenience to passengers hit by abrupt flight cancellations.
The measures must include cooperation with other airlines to provide alternative services to passengers who could be left stranded, as in the Nok Air case.
The Transport Ministry is waiting for the airline’s explanation of the incident.
Nok Air received assistance from THAI, Thai Smiles and Thai Lion Air in the form of charter flights for passengers.
Besides contingency plans, all airlines must show how they would protect consumers’ rights and care for passengers whose flights are cancelled. For instance, passengers should be offered a full refund, another flight or other options and be paid Bt1,200 cash immediately as compensation before departing.
“CEOs and the management of airlines will also have to take responsibility and communicate with passengers about the latest developments,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said all captains had to follow EASA regulations or face not being allowed to fly.
Nok Air was given a warning by aviation authorities for failing to adequately protect |consumer rights on Sunday and is now facing a daily fine.
