BANGKOK – The Ministry of Transport says the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s decision to ban Thai airlines will not have a direct impact on the Thai aviation business.
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said it is important for relevant agencies to find out why the Thai aviation industry was downgraded to Category 2. He called on serious efforts from all parties involved to solve ongoing problems in the airline business.
Transport Minister Akom Termpittayapaisit said the impact from the downgrade will be minimal since Thai airlines do not fly to America and flight codes are not being shared between the two countries.
However, the ministry will work quickly to solve the aviation safety issues raised by both the FAA and the International Civil Aviation Organization before the end of August next year.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said even though the Thai airline business is not significantly affected by the ban, it will cause problems in terms of confidence in Thai air safety.
He said Thailand should turn this crisis into an opportunity by overhauling the entire Department of Civil Aviation.
Meanwhile, THAI Airways President Jarumporn Chotikasathien said the European Aviation Safety Agency will release an official statement on December 10, following an inspection of the airline’s safety standards.
Mr. Jarumporn claimed it is difficult to say whether the assessment will be in the airline’s favor, adding that a contingency plan is already in place if the results are not positive. THAI Airways makes a third of its revenue from flying to 11 European cities.
