Aviation authority invites over ‘red flag’ submission
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will invite 14 airlines to a meeting in the lead-up to a submission to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that seeks the removal of a red flag against Thai aviation.
After a meeting of a committee looking into civil aviation problems chaired by Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, CAAT director Chula Sukmanop said: “On April 4, 14 airlines will be notified that the authority will submit to the ICAO a request for an inspection of the Thai aviation system”. The submission will be lodged on June 30.
If any airline is not granted an air operator's certificate (AOC) re-certification, it has to cease international services from July 1, until it receives AOC, or the red flag on Thailand's aviation sector is removed, Chula said.
Only Bangkok Airways has received AOC re-certification, while re-certification for Thai Airways International and Thai AirAsia is expected to follow in April. Next in line are Nokscoot, AirAsia X, Thai Smile, Orient Thai, K Mile and Nok Air.
On February 28, the aviation authority notified the remaining 14 airlines to be available for inspections. Only 10 of them responded.
Some 23 international airlines are registered in Thailand.