Aviation authority to monitor Thai safety concerns

[geovalin]

Chan Muyhong

Cambodia’s aviation authority says it has no plans to follow in the footsteps of some of Asia’s largest nations and ban new flights from Thai-based carriers, after an international audit has raised “significant safety concerns” about the standards of Thailand’s aviation authority.

China, Japan, and South Korea blocked new flights and charters from Thai-registered airlines after the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization raised concerns surrounding Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation’s operational standards, the Bangkok Post reported on Tuesday.

The areas where Thai authorities are said to be lacking include personnel training and airworthiness accreditation.

However, Cambodia will take “a softer approach”, stopping short of banning Thai carriers, said Sin Chansereyvutha, spokesman for Cambodia’s State Secretariat for Civil Aviation.

“SSCA will monitor this issue. We will make sure that Thai Airlines comply with all [sSCA] regulations and requirements,” he said.

Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, said there would be no noticeable impact on the number of travellers between Cambodia and Thailand because of the issue, although he urged operators to “take safety standards seriously.”

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/aviation-authority-monitor-thai-safety-concerns