BANGKOK, 2 April 2015 – Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and Thailand’s Civil Aviation Department will sign a cooperation pact today to allow chartered flights from Thailand to enter Japan for the time being, according to Minister of Transport Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong.
ACM Prajin revealed that under the agreement, JCAB will increase scrutiny of Thai airliners. Airlines that currently operate chartered flights to Japan will need to secure the JCAB’s safety check before new routes are allowed. All Thai aircraft landing in Japan will be subjected to detailed safety inspections from now until May 31.
The transport minister explained that the two months grace period will allow Thailand to address the shortcomings in its civil aviation system cited by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The Department of Civil Aviation will be conducting reviews of the licenses granted to Thai Smile, Thai VietJet, and Jet Asia, said ACM Prajin.
Somchai Piputvat, the director-general of the Department of Civil Aviation, is leaving for South Korea today to explain the efforts Thailand is now making to address the shortcomings cited by ICAO. Mr. Somchai will also visit China on April 8 for the same purpose.
