After an assessment in July and discussions with Thailand’s government through October 28, the FAA determined that the country does not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards. They will not be allowed to establish new service to the United States.
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A source from the aviation industry said that if the ICAO is unable to give a green light to Thailand, more airlines would be unable to expand their networks.
Bangkok is a regional airline hub that has forecast some 30 million tourist arrivals this year.
“FAA has conducted an investigation of the DCA and have some three or four (unresolved) issues”, a DCA official told Reuters. It audited Thailand’s civil aviation authority in July as part of its role in ensuring airlines that fly to the United States meet global standards.
THE US agency’s announcement on Tuesday comes after the International Civil Aviation Organisation flagged significant concerns about Thailand’s aviation safety in March. Its January audit found Thailand had a shortage of technical officers and certification problems in transporting hazardous goods. Those restrictions have since been relaxed. Thailand was given 65 days to take corrective measures over what it said were critical omissions in its safety standards. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.
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The direct impact of this FAA downgrade may seem minimal now, especially since it only applies to the United States and the only Thai carrier to operate there – Thai Airways International – suspended operations in October.
