ICAO likely to check on aviation standards in Sept

The government is preparing to be re-evaluated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in September following its official submission of a request to lift the aviation red flag against the country.

Before a red-flag re-evaluation, the ICAO will send a team to inspect the aviation security system under the Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring (USAP-CMA) programme on July 11-21, said Sirichan Ngathong, National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) deputy spokeswoman.

“Everything has substantially improved following ICAO standards and is ready for the inspection,” she said.

The international aviation watchdog red-flagged Thailand in June 2015, citing “significant safety concerns” over Thailand’s air safety following its audit of the now-dissolved Department of Civil Aviation’s performance.

On June 30, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), a new entity regulating aviation and safety standards, submitted to the ICAO a formal request for the red flag to be lifted, Col Sirichan said.

After this, it is expected the ICAO will conduct a red-flag re-evaluation for the Thailand aviation system in September. The agency is expected to announce the result one month later, she said.

As part of the process, the government and various state agencies will complete verifying and issuing new operator certificates (AOCs) to those airlines which need the certificates by Sept 1, Col Sirichan said.

After the Sept 1 deadline, Thai-registered airlines operating international flights that fail to obtain the certificates will face a ban on international routes, she said.

Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said progress made in issuing AOC re-certifications by the CAAT would have implications for the bid to remove the ICAO’s red flag.