BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand is poised to regain its Category 1 status from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by February 2025, following extensive safety improvements and regulatory adjustments. This upgrade will enable Thai airlines to resume direct flights to the United States after a nine-year hiatus.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, announced that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) had successfully addressed the safety concerns that led to the downgrade of Thailand’s aviation status from Category 1 to Category 2 in 2015. The FAA conducted a thorough inspection of Thailand’s aviation safety standards from November 11-15, 2024, with its experts confirming that most of the required improvements had been made. Only minor issues remain, which are expected to be resolved before the final assessment in early 2025.
The reclassification will mark a significant milestone for the Thai aviation industry, allowing Thai airlines to resume direct services to the U.S., thereby boosting international air transport and further enhancing Thailand’s connectivity.
