Travel Thailand's Aviation Sector Soars with FAA's Category 1 Safety Upgrade

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Thailand Construction and Engineering News

 

In a major leap forward for Thailand's aviation industry, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has elevated the country’s aviation safety rating to Category 1. Announced by the Ministry of Transport on April 22, this milestone acknowledges Thailand's adherence to international civil aviation safety standards, enabling Thai airlines to resume flights to the United States.

 

This significant turnaround follows extensive regulatory enhancements after Thailand's downgrade to Category 2 in 2015. The downgrade was chiefly due to 36 safety oversight deficiencies identified by the FAA, based on concerns from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These included gaps in aviation laws and a shortage of qualified flight inspectors within the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

 

Critical issues flagged in 2015 included the absence of certified inspectors for specific aircraft types operated by Thai carriers. However, after a concerted effort to rectify these deficiencies, Thailand has now successfully met ICAO’s rigorous safety requirements, which are in line with the FAA’s standards for effective aviation safety oversight.

 

 

 

Achieving Category 1 status signifies that Thai airlines can resume operations to the US and potentially expand to other countries that rely on FAA safety ratings, such as South Korea. This development is poised to significantly impact Thailand's air transport sector, enhancing connectivity with essential global markets.

 

Restoring Category 1 status not only enhances Thailand's aviation reputation but also bolsters confidence in the country’s capacity to maintain and enforce crucial international aviation safety protocols. As the Thai aviation sector regains its footing, industry experts anticipate a trajectory of growth, with more opportunities for Thai airlines to extend their reach globally.

 

The FAA’s upgrade to Category 1 marks a pivotal achievement in Thailand's efforts to strengthen its position within the global aviation community. It heralds a promising future for the country's air transport industry, reflecting a commitment to excellence and safety standards on the world stage.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-22

 

 

[JoePai]

TAT latest :

 

Thailand's Aviation Sector expected to soar next year with FAA's Category 1+    🤣

 

[Jedi888]

Just in time for tariffs to reduce consumer spending in the region. That better break out something good to bus in Americans/ North American sourced flights as overall econ is stagnating. Will Thai bust out the old 747s? Oh some nice nostalgia.

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Thailand Construction and Engineering News

 

In a major leap forward for Thailand's aviation industry, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has elevated the country’s aviation safety rating to Category 1. Announced by the Ministry of Transport on April 22, this milestone acknowledges Thailand's adherence to international civil aviation safety standards, enabling Thai airlines to resume flights to the United States.

 

This significant turnaround follows extensive regulatory enhancements after Thailand's downgrade to Category 2 in 2015. The downgrade was chiefly due to 36 safety oversight deficiencies identified by the FAA, based on concerns from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These included gaps in aviation laws and a shortage of qualified flight inspectors within the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

 

Critical issues flagged in 2015 included the absence of certified inspectors for specific aircraft types operated by Thai carriers. However, after a concerted effort to rectify these deficiencies, Thailand has now successfully met ICAO’s rigorous safety requirements, which are in line with the FAA’s standards for effective aviation safety oversight.

 

 

 

Achieving Category 1 status signifies that Thai airlines can resume operations to the US and potentially expand to other countries that rely on FAA safety ratings, such as South Korea. This development is poised to significantly impact Thailand's air transport sector, enhancing connectivity with essential global markets.

 

Restoring Category 1 status not only enhances Thailand's aviation reputation but also bolsters confidence in the country’s capacity to maintain and enforce crucial international aviation safety protocols. As the Thai aviation sector regains its footing, industry experts anticipate a trajectory of growth, with more opportunities for Thai airlines to extend their reach globally.

 

The FAA’s upgrade to Category 1 marks a pivotal achievement in Thailand's efforts to strengthen its position within the global aviation community. It heralds a promising future for the country's air transport industry, reflecting a commitment to excellence and safety standards on the world stage.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-22

 

 

Very good. Soon there will come hordes of Americans running away from this wannabe president.

[Searat7]

This is old news….when first announced months ago they said Thailand could have flights to USA as soon as February but everyone knew that could not happen.  They probably don’t have the planes either. Probably the only A 340 left is the one taken over by the military and those planes were too expensive to operate on such long routes. 

[kiwikeith]

14 hours ago, Jedi888 said:

Just in time for tariffs to reduce consumer spending in the region. That better break out something good to bus in Americans/ North American sourced flights as overall econ is stagnating. Will Thai bust out the old 747s? Oh some nice nostalgia.

A380s

[twizzian]

Wondering if the Drone laws will follow & change to FAA regulations in Thailand too.

[RandolphGB]

3 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

A380s

 

They are parked up at the airport. No carriers  want to buy them and Thai Air cannot afford to run them. 

 

1.6 billion dollars down the drain.

[zepplin]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Thailand Construction and Engineering News

 

In a major leap forward for Thailand's aviation industry, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has elevated the country’s aviation safety rating to Category 1. Announced by the Ministry of Transport on April 22, this milestone acknowledges Thailand's adherence to international civil aviation safety standards, enabling Thai airlines to resume flights to the United States.

 

This significant turnaround follows extensive regulatory enhancements after Thailand's downgrade to Category 2 in 2015. The downgrade was chiefly due to 36 safety oversight deficiencies identified by the FAA, based on concerns from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These included gaps in aviation laws and a shortage of qualified flight inspectors within the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

 

Critical issues flagged in 2015 included the absence of certified inspectors for specific aircraft types operated by Thai carriers. However, after a concerted effort to rectify these deficiencies, Thailand has now successfully met ICAO’s rigorous safety requirements, which are in line with the FAA’s standards for effective aviation safety oversight.

 

 

 

Achieving Category 1 status signifies that Thai airlines can resume operations to the US and potentially expand to other countries that rely on FAA safety ratings, such as South Korea. This development is poised to significantly impact Thailand's air transport sector, enhancing connectivity with essential global markets.

 

Restoring Category 1 status not only enhances Thailand's aviation reputation but also bolsters confidence in the country’s capacity to maintain and enforce crucial international aviation safety protocols. As the Thai aviation sector regains its footing, industry experts anticipate a trajectory of growth, with more opportunities for Thai airlines to extend their reach globally.

 

The FAA’s upgrade to Category 1 marks a pivotal achievement in Thailand's efforts to strengthen its position within the global aviation community. It heralds a promising future for the country's air transport industry, reflecting a commitment to excellence and safety standards on the world stage.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-22

 

 

 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Thailand Construction and Engineering News

 

In a major leap forward for Thailand's aviation industry, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has elevated the country’s aviation safety rating to Category 1. Announced by the Ministry of Transport on April 22, this milestone acknowledges Thailand's adherence to international civil aviation safety standards, enabling Thai airlines to resume flights to the United States.

 

This significant turnaround follows extensive regulatory enhancements after Thailand's downgrade to Category 2 in 2015. The downgrade was chiefly due to 36 safety oversight deficiencies identified by the FAA, based on concerns from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These included gaps in aviation laws and a shortage of qualified flight inspectors within the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

 

Critical issues flagged in 2015 included the absence of certified inspectors for specific aircraft types operated by Thai carriers. However, after a concerted effort to rectify these deficiencies, Thailand has now successfully met ICAO’s rigorous safety requirements, which are in line with the FAA’s standards for effective aviation safety oversight.

 

 

 

Achieving Category 1 status signifies that Thai airlines can resume operations to the US and potentially expand to other countries that rely on FAA safety ratings, such as South Korea. This development is poised to significantly impact Thailand's air transport sector, enhancing connectivity with essential global markets.

 

Restoring Category 1 status not only enhances Thailand's aviation reputation but also bolsters confidence in the country’s capacity to maintain and enforce crucial international aviation safety protocols. As the Thai aviation sector regains its footing, industry experts anticipate a trajectory of growth, with more opportunities for Thai airlines to extend their reach globally.

 

The FAA’s upgrade to Category 1 marks a pivotal achievement in Thailand's efforts to strengthen its position within the global aviation community. It heralds a promising future for the country's air transport industry, reflecting a commitment to excellence and safety standards on the world stage.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-22

 

 

So every other transport department, is run on bribes , lack of service and accountability, and under the table payments and dodgy licensing and excuses, but the aviation business isn’t…? Mmm yeah sure!

[bubba]

14 hours ago, Jedi888 said:

Just in time for tariffs to reduce consumer spending in the region. That better break out something good to bus in Americans/ North American sourced flights as overall econ is stagnating. Will Thai bust out the old 747s? Oh some nice nostalgia.

TG’s Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft both have the range to fly nonstop from Bangkok (BKK) to major US cities such as Los Angeles (LAX) or New York (JFK), which are roughly 7,950–8,650 nautical miles apart.

 

[spidermike007]

Direct flights from Bangkok to Los Angeles would be amazing, and I have to believe that there would be enough demand for it if the pricing was competitive. 

[malibukid]

better yet lax to cnx direct

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Critical issues flagged in 2015 included the absence of certified inspectors for specific aircraft types operated by Thai carriers. However, after a concerted effort to rectify these deficiencies, Thailand has now successfully met ICAO’s rigorous safety requirements, which are in line with the FAA’s standards for effective aviation safety oversight.

About time too.. the above is a no-no

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, Searat7 said:

This is old news….when first announced months ago they said Thailand could have flights to USA as soon as February but everyone knew that could not happen.  They probably don’t have the planes either. Probably the only A 340 left is the one taken over by the military and those planes were too expensive to operate on such long routes. 

Thai Airways fleet includes Airbus A320s, A330s, A350s, Boeing 777s (various models), and Boeing 787s. 

[Srikcir]

46 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Direct flights from Bangkok to Los Angeles would be amazing, and I have to believe that there would be enough demand for it if the pricing was competitive. 

Would be nice to avoid the 3 hour layover in Taiwan for US connection

[Kwausie]

Great news for a change, well done Thailand aviation 

[Toby1947]

Absolute disgrace they were downgraded in the first place, they should be banned from the skies. Do they ever maintain anything, playing with thousands of passengers lives on a daily basis. Morons 

[Nickcage49]

There aren't any direct flights from the states to Thailand anyway. But maybe this is why they stopped. I remember THAI stopped LAX-BKK direct flights during the pandemic. Before that I think they had direct flights.

 

This article could use a bit more context.

[diveasia666]

Who on earth flies long haul with thai? 555

[Airalee]

33 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

There aren't any direct flights from the states to Thailand anyway. But maybe this is why they stopped. I remember THAI stopped LAX-BKK direct flights during the pandemic. Before that I think they had direct flights.

 

This article could use a bit more context.

Last flight into the US was October 2015

[wensiensheng]

TEN years to fix serious deficiencies identified in a review.

 

Abysmal

[Shocked farang]

I can't contain my excitement as the flights between the land of smiles and the land of Trump resume! 

[alex8912]

Counting. Two off topic Trump posts. And they say there is no syndrome. 

[Shocked farang]

1 hour ago, alex8912 said:

Counting. Two off topic Trump posts. And they say there is no syndrome. 

Of course there's a syndrome. Provoked by Trump's anti-social pathological narcissism. 

[alex8912]

1 hour ago, Shocked farang said:

Of course there's a syndrome. Provoked by Trump's anti-social pathological narcissism. 

You're nuts dude. 

[Dan747]

I'm sure the Thailand government also looked at United Airlines trying to get a foothold into flying back into BKK now from Hong Kong was part of the deal starting this fall. 

[Shocked farang]

1 hour ago, alex8912 said:

You're nuts dude. 

 

[CLUBBER]

10 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

There aren't any direct flights from the states to Thailand anyway. But maybe this is why they stopped. I remember THAI stopped LAX-BKK direct flights during the pandemic. Before that I think they had direct flights.

 

This article could use a bit more context.

Yes I flew direct NYC to BKK a couple times on Thai airways but that stopped a while ago .

[CLUBBER]

2 hours ago, Shocked farang said:

 

Some jack off like you makes a you tube video so it must be true . You're.a pathetic weak little man . 

[Shocked farang]

36 minutes ago, CLUBBER said:

 

... 🤣🤣🤣