Budget carriers `must shape up'

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry has ordered operators of budget airlines to improve customer services, their image having been tainted by reports of frequent delays, and allegations of questionable levels of flight safety. The order came on the second anniversary of the maiden flight by budget carrier One-Two-Go.

Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said it was ministry policy that all budget airlines shape up in order to meet, if not surpass, all relevant standards. The improvements would boost confidence among local and international passengers and help ensure the country became a regional aviation hub.

Mr Pongsak said he had assigned deputy permanent secretary for transport Kumropluk Suraswadi to monitor and evaluate the performances of all budget airlines.

``Passengers still complain about the service of low-cost airlines. Operators must raise standards of service to ensure customers are totally satisfied. More importantly, improvements will be in line with the government's policy to upgrade the country's aviation standards,'' he said. The minister expects fewer complaints about flight delays in the future.

Existing aviation regulations require airlines to seek prior permission from the Aviation Department if they wish to cancel flights. They must inform passengers at least 24 hours before cancellation. In the case of flight delays, airlines must arrange alternative flights for passengers. If there were no alternative flights available, passengers ought to be asked if they would be willing to fly from the nearest alternative airport. Airlines must meet all transfer expenses, and must refund the cost of the ticket in full should passengers not agree to take an alternative flight.

Meals and accommodation must be provided to passengers in the case of a flight delay exceeding three hours, Mr Pongsak said. As for safety, the safety of all airlines must be regularly monitored as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Over the past two years, several budget carriers have come under fire for repeated flight delays and poor levels of service.

Saifon Bunla-or, 30, a government official, said she was a regular customer of budget carriers as their flights are cheaper. However, she often faced problems with delays.

``I remember being left stranded at Chiang Mai airport for hours. My flight to Bangkok was scheduled to depart at 5pm, but it didn't take off until midnight. The airline had to charter a flight from another airline for us,'' Mrs Saifon said.

She bemoaned the poor services provided by budget airlines.

There was no seat allocation, forcing passengers to scramble for seats. Indeed, the level of service could not even match that offered on a first class, air-conditioned bus, Mrs Saifon said.

She said that most passengers were nervous in terms of flight safety, as the budget carriers' aircraft tended to be rather old.

--Bangkok Post 2005-12-05

She bemoaned the poor services provided by budget airlines.

There was no seat allocation, forcing passengers to scramble for seats. Indeed, the level of service could not even match that offered on a first class, air-conditioned bus, Mrs Saifon said.

She said that most passengers were nervous in terms of flight safety, as the budget carriers' aircraft tended to be rather old.

--Bangkok Post 2005-12-05

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Airlines should either offer seat allocation, or sequence boarding. That's the way EasyJet and Ryanair do it in Europe and it works fine. Passengers who arrive at the airport and check in early should be rewarded.

As far as nervosity for flying on old planes goes: passengers are not made to fly with that airline, are they? They're free to take the bus or train instead, or pay more to fly another airline.

As far as nervosity for flying on old planes goes: passengers are not made to fly with that airline, are they? They're free to take the bus or train instead, or pay more to fly another airline.

I'll take a classic 737 over a Thai bus in terms of safety any day.

cv

I'll take a classic 737 over a Thai bus in terms of safety any day.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I fully agree with you.

An old airplane is not necessarily an unsafe airplane. If a plane is maintained correctly, it can go on for decades. There are several DC-3's in the world still flying around in pristine condition!

Most crashes occur due to human error. Who says it's safer to fly in a brand-new Korean Air 777 than a twenty-year-old Qantas 747? ? I'd choose for Qantas.

As far as nervosity for flying on old planes goes: passengers are not made to fly with that airline, are they? They're free to take the bus or train instead, or pay more to fly another airline.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'll take a classic 737 over a Thai bus in terms of safety any day.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That depends on who is "driving" the 737