FAA concluded: Thailand has 65 days to make civil aviation safer

The Thai tourism industry is set to enter the peak season running from October until February. Besides Europe, North America is also an important inbound market for the kingdom.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given Thailand 65 days to address shortcomings found in its aviation safety standards, Thai Transport Minister Prajin Juntong confirmed to local media in Bangkok on Friday.

Thai-registered carriers will face a ban on launching flight services to the US if the flaws cannot be fixed within the deadline.

Currently, Thailand’s National carrier Star Alliance member, Thai Airways, has one daily flight from Bangkok to Los Angeles. Since this flight has been operating, it would not be effected by this deadline.

The second largest carrier, Bangkok Airways, has no flights operating to the United States.

Recently US authority downgraded Thai aviation safety evaluation for 3 problems.

An FAA team concluded its initial testing of air safety in Thailand and found 3 areas needed to be fixed within 65 days.

The problem appears to be staff related.

The three problems were a lack of an aviation inspector and lack of qualified staff for aircraft being operated in the country, an incomplete aviation manual which might be due to lack of staff, and improper testing which was also possibly due to inadequate staffing.

The Thai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) is planning to fix these problems. The Thai Cabinet earlier approved a plan to hire more experts as well as to bring in foreigners to help ease such problems.

An FAA team arrived in Bangkok on Monday to investigate aviation safety after the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) raised a “red flag” for Thailand.

Aside from testing the aviation agency, the team of 4 experts also examined national carrier Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways, one of the largest private airlines.

Thailand was downgraded to second tier, which will affect flights to the US.

The ministry is also ready to talk and sort out the issues with foreign aviation authorities.

A revised safety manual has already been completed.

The minister also said that foreign airlines operating in and out Thailand would move to talks with third countries over impact if it received reaction from downgrading Thai aviation.