News
European safety agency spares Thailand
December 11th 2015
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Thursday spared Thai-registered airlines from being banned from European skies, Read More » saying it would instead closely monitor and assist the country in upgrading its air safety standards by dispatching inspectors to the kingdom’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to help install improved oversight measures. A downgrade might have spelt doom for the embattled flag carrier, Thai Airways International (THAI), which earns up to 30% of its revenue from Europe.
While EASA has not published the full report of its recent safety audit, the European Commission (EU) said no Thai-registered airlines were added to its EU Air Safety List when it was updated Thursday.
"The commission and the EASA are willing to continue to work with the Thai authorities to enhance aviation safety in the country," a statement read. "The commission and EASA will, however, closely monitor developments. If the protection of air passengers against safety risks so requires, the commission could propose to include one or more air carriers from Thailand in the Air Safety List."
The EASA ruling provides relief to the DCA after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last Tuesday announced Thailand did not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards and assigned a Category 2 rating to the nation. The decision meant Thailand either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or its civil aviation authority is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping, or inspection procedures. With a Category 2 rating, Thailand’s carriers may continue existing services to the U.S., but they are prevented from launching routes, either directly or as codeshare partners.
In separate, but not good news for THAI, Korean Air this week announced a fourth daily Bangkok-Incheon service, from December 19, using its 407-seat A380, to cater for surging winter travel demand. The extra flight is in addition to two daily Asiana Airlines departures from Suvarnabhumi, one using the A380, as well as double daily Jeju Air flights and daily services by Jin Air, T’Way Airlines and Eastar Jet. THAI flies to Incheon double daily, the same frequency as budget rival, Thai AirAsia X.
