Thai airlines survive EASA safety audit

BANGKOK, Dec 11 (TNA) -- Two Thai airlines serving Europe escaped unhurt after results of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)’s audit were released on Thursday. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said in a statement released on December 10 that Thailand would be closely monitored as it updated the bloc's air safety blacklist. "No air carriers from Thailand were added to the Air Safety List at this time. The Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are willing to continue to work with the Thai authorities to enhance aviation safety in the country. The Commission and EASA will however closely monitor future developments and, if the protection of air passengers against safety risks so requires, the Commission could then propose to include one or more air carriers from Thailand in the Air Safety List," the statement said. After ruling, Thai Airways International (THAI) and charter carrier MJets will continue to fly to the continent. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week has downgraded Thailand’s aviation sector to Category 2 from Category 1, citing a series of shortcomings over "technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping, or inspection procedures." "With a Category 2 rating, Thailand's carriers can continue existing service to the United States. They will not be allowed to establish new service to the United States," according to the FAA. (TNA)