Thailand improved aviation standard for new ICAO inspection

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (TNA) – Thailand will invite the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to inspect the country’s aviation standard in June, expecting the red flag on the significant security concerns to be removed after the inspection. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith today presided over issuing the new air operator certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to Bangkok Airways, the first airlines to receive the new AOC. The transport minister said the AOCs will be issued to additional 24 airlines next month. When it is completed, the UN's ICAO will be invited to renew the inspection of aviation standard in Thailand. If everything goes as planned, he said the red flag, indicating significant security concerns by ICAO will be removed from Thailand. Meanwhile, Chula Sukmanop, CAAT director general said regarding a Serious Safety Concern (SSC) against Thailand instated by the ICAO in the last inspection, Thailand has addressed about 75 per cent of the shortcomings and all will be done by June this year. In the latest move, the ICAO informed that it would come to Thailand for Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) inspection on the safety of Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport from July 13-21. The programme sets out the rules and regulations for aviation safety at every step, including rigorous security protocols for everyone including flight crew, ground staff and shops in airports. Thailand will also ask the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to inspect aviation standard as the country plans to be elevated to Category 1 again after the FAA last year downgraded its civil aviation safety to Category 2 due to safety concerns. (TNA)