ICAO expected to remove red flag against Thailand by year end

BANGKOK, June 19 (TNA) - The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is expected to remove its "red flag" against Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) by the end of this year. Thai Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told journalists on Friday that he is optimistic that the UN agency should remove the "red flag" against DCA by the end of this year. Arkhom, who is also Secretary-General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), said he had received positive response from the ICAO chief during recent negotiations in Canada. According to the deputy transport minister, ICAO acknowledged Thailand's strong determination to address issues raised by the UN agency by sending a minister to a negotiation process. The deputy transport minister insisted that his ministry will continue solving the cruxes raised by ICAO, including airlines’ safety, aviation law amendment, restructuring of DCA and an inspection and issuance of new licences to 28 Thai airlines which fly overseas. The deputy transport minister noted that the whole process will start on July 11 and ICAO officials will then be invited to inspect Thailand's safety standards again on September 9. Thai Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong told reporters, in the meantime, that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has asked those involved in the Thai aviation business to help solve the cruxes. Thailand has received the "red flag" since February 2015 after ICAO found Significant Safety Concerns (SCCs) on DCA's air safety certification, but it disclosed the information to its members only. The UN aviation regulator publicly red flagged the Kingdom on its website on June 18. Meanwhile, Thai Airways International (THAI) President Jarumporn Chotikasathien urged DCA to speed up solutions to SSCs, saying although Thailand can continue flying as usual, the national flag carrier faces business risks because the country cannot increase its flights. Jarumporn pointed out that THAI was earlier inspected safety standards at the average of three times monthly, but the inspection has risen to an average of 50 times monthly since early this year. (TNA)