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Thailand: ICAO red flag to stay in 2016 as Thai Lion covets 30% of the domestic market
February 5th 2016
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) director, Chula Sukmanop, on Monday said it was “unlikely” the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) would lift its red flag against the kingdom’s aviation regulator during their next visit, scheduled for December. Read More »
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) officials also are due to review the country's aviation safety standards again in May, six months after its last inspection, said Chula.
The Thai cabinet last week approved a budget of 271.5 million baht ($7.6 million) to speed up efforts to address aviation safety concerns, as proposed by the CAAT. Transport minister, Arkhom Ermpittayapaisith, said the budget was divided into two tranches: 170 million baht for hiring British air safety consultants and the reminder of the funds for training 69 CAAT staff. The CAAT plans to hire 315 additional staff by May to add to the 197 personnel transferred from the defunct Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
Thai Lion Air, the Thai subsidiary of Indonesia's Lion Air Group, aims to control close to a third of Thailand's domestic market this year. Thai Lion started operations in 2013 and achieved a 17% market share a year later, which grew to 25% in 2015, Thai Lion president-director, Darsito Hendroseputro, said. "We believe we can get 30% this year," he said.
In other news, Thai Airways International (THAI) last month said it would delay the delivery of 14 aircraft, twelve A350s and two B787s, for three years to reduce operating costs.
