Transport Ministry announces success after ICAO’s red flag removed

BANGKOK, Oct 9 (TNA) -- The Transport Ministry announced its successful improvement of Thai aviation safety standard that convinced the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to remove its red flag on Thailand. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the success has led to the removal of the ICAO’s red flag symbol that had been placed on Thailand for two years and four months on the ICAO’s websites for public viewers and its members. The prime minister was satisfied with the development and ordered concerned organizations to maintain aviation safety standard, Mr Arkhom said. From now on, the Transport Ministry would solve trivial flaws and produce enough aviation personnel, he said. With the red flag removal, Thailand’s airlines would be able to increase flights and routes and change aircraft types on all international routes earlier agreed and they would do so with many potential routes, the minister said. Chula Sukmanop, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), said he sent the list of nine airlines that received re-issued air operator certificates to the ICAO and two more airlines would obtain their new certificates within this month. The ICAO’s red flag removal should boost confidence among aviation safety inspectors of other organizations, he said. On Nov 13-14, representatives of the CAAT will meet officials of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to discuss the ICAO’s latest resolution and Thai aviation standard improvement. Mr Chula also said that the CAAT would invite representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States to re-examine Thai aviation standard. He expected the FAA would place Thailand in its Category 1 again, instead of Category 2, within the first quarter of next year. (TNA)