Bangkok Airways regains AOC
CAAT expects ‘red flag’ lifting this year
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) yesterday re-issued an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Bangkok Airways, the first Thai-registered airline to be granted the document since the ICAO “red card” saga erupted.
Thai-registered airlines were required to go through a re-inspection of AOCs after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in June, 2015, issued a “red flag” which it said indicated significant safety concerns (SSC). The re-issuing process for airlines’ AOCs needs to be in line with the UN-based agency’s standards. The process started on Sept 12 last year.
Speaking at a ceremony to hand the AOC over to Bangkok Airways yesterday, CAAT director Chula Sukmanop said the AOC will be valid for five years and, after that, a re-inspection is needed.
The CAAT, however, will follow up on the airline’s operations to ensure it maintains standards, he said.
The re-issuing process of AOCs is expected to be wrapped up by June 30 this year and, after that, the ICAO will be asked to audit the country’s aviation safety standards, he said.
Any airline which fails to meet the required standard will have its international flights suspended until they receive an AOC, Mr Chula said.
“After the ICAO is invited to make an inspection, it is likely to come and carry out the audit within three months and the process could take about a week to finish,” said Mr Chula.
He noted the ICAO might announce the audit result on the final day of the inspection, and this would indicate whether the red flag will be lifted.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the CAAT now will proceed to progressively re-issue AOCs to 22 other Thai-registered airlines which operate international flights, a process which he expects to be wrapped up by June 30.
Among the 22 airlines, eight are due to receive the document next month. They are Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways International (THAI), K-Mile Air, Orient Thai Airlines, Nok Air, NokScoot, AirAsia X and Thai Smile.
The process comprises five steps, including examining necessary airline documents and the service areas of the airlines and their flights to ensure safety, he said.
“The re-issuing of AOCs is a crucial step to address the SSC in line with the ICAO’s recommendations,” said Mr Arkhom.
“The red flag will be removed by the third or fourth quarter of this year for sure,” said Mr Arkhom.
According to Mr Arkhom, the cabinet has approved draft legislation on civil aviation, which complies with the ICAO’s guidelines. It is currently being vetted by the Council of State, he said.
Bangkok Airways president Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said he was honoured and proud that his was the first among the 22 airlines to receive the new AOC in line with the ICAO’s standards. He vowed the airline will stick to safety standards to boost passenger confidence.
The airline has cooperated well with the authorities in inspections and made certain that all operational details met safety standard requirements, he said.