Airlines urged to be emergency-prepared

BANGKOK, February 24 (TNA) - Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has urged all airlines to be fully-prepared for all kinds of emergency. Arkhom told journalists that he reported solutions to Nok Air's recent flight cancellation problems to the Cabinet at its weekly meeting on February 23 and his meeting with representatives of 14 airlines, during which he urged them to work out clear emergency response plans. Arkhom stressed that such plans need to cover all airlines' risks, including pilots’ strikes, natural disasters and problems about information technology (IT) and computer systems, which play important roles in aviation services. Arkhom said he also told the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to quickly plan the production of pilots, aircraft mechanics and flight attendants to cope with personnel shortages in the Thai aviation sector. Meanwhile, Chula Sukmanop, Acting CAAT Governor and Director-General of the Department of Airports, told reporters that Nok Air followed the rules by informing the cancellation of its 20 flights on February 22, three days beforehand. Nok Air Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patee Sarasin affirmed that his airline will not cancel any flight during February 24-29, as Nok Air will use chartered flights, about 10 flights a day, to serve passengers during the period. According to the Nok Air CEO, his airline has employed 192 pilots and the problem of pilot shortage should end after new recruitment next month. (TNA)