Substandard Airlines May Be Grounded, States Prayut

[Jacob Maslow]

Thailand’s Transport Ministry may have to ground substandard airlines. The news comes after months of concern that many airlines in Thailand do not meet safety standards. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that the grounding of substandard airlines may help the country’s standard airlines be approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Prayut is doing everything in his power to ensure that the ICAO is confident in Thai airlines once again.

The prime minister further elaborated on the concerns and doubts of the ICAO, stating that the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) is too small to handle the number of Thai airlines. While the number of airlines has increased, the number of people working for the DCA has not.

Prayut has ordered Gen Prajin to determine which airlines have not complied with current safety standards and to ground their flights as a result.

The DCA must submit their corrective action plan to ICAO a week or two before the ICAO’s June 18^th decision. On June 18^th, the ICAO will announce their findings on Thai airlines and what actions will be taken next to ensure the utmost in aviation safety within the country. The DCA is severely understaffed, with 9 officials available to review airline certificates and 40 more being recruited to inspect 28 international and 13 domestic airlines.

The process is scheduled to be complete in July, a month after the June 18^th deadline given by the ICAO.

-- 2015-04-20

[chainarong]

The question is if there are any unsafe airlines operating why are they and who are these airlines , it is totally irresponsible for a administration to allow any unsafe airlines to operate and what will you do after now admitting there are unsafe airlines operating if one crashes, you in theory are now responsible for the safe passage of every airline from Thailand ,which in reality is the DCA who cannot pass a ICPO audit, it is time Thailand took more responsibility for its actions on all issues not just this one , close enough is not good enough , the headlines should read grounded, not maybe ground them.

[NongKhaiKid]

The question is if there are any unsafe airlines operating why are they and who are these airlines , it is totally irresponsible for a administration to allow any unsafe airlines to operate and what will you do after now admitting there are unsafe airlines operating if one crashes, you in theory are now responsible for the safe passage of every airline from Thailand ,which in reality is the DCA who cannot pass a ICPO audit, it is time Thailand took more responsibility for its actions on all issues not just this one , close enough is not good enough , the headlines should read grounded, not maybe ground them.

Exactly and the MAY BE grounded could be a very big may be. The DCA have been sitting on their hands for years and now have been caught out but the type of action needed would admit VERY serious shortcomings in how Thailand operates and face is all important.

[harrry]

Will be grounded (or rather have been grounded) is what I want to hear.

[selftaopath]

I have the distinct impression Thais throughout the Kingdom feel they do not or will not follow any set of laws/stipulations/ mandates/timelines if they merely DON'T WANT TO. This includes Thai government officials/law enforcement/farmers/common workers.

I believe the developed world will bring the stark reality to Thailand e.g. air safety, human trafficking, etc. that it can not expect cause/effect to bypass them.

Wake up Thailand.

[Laughing Gravy]

The Headline should be substandard airlines will be grounded, from whichever country. Thailand certainly doesn't want or need a Malaysia escapade.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps the government might simplify their task, by looking first at their own airlines, and then focusing on charter-only & mainly-charter airlines ?

There's nothing wrong with prioritising like this, when inspection-resources are limited, and there is time-pressure to be seen to achieve something.

Unless one doesn't really want to find anything wrong ?

[Prbkk]

"...flagrant disregard for passenger safety..." ( UK Coroner's report on the One-Two-Go crash), corruption within DCA ( found in the official report on the same crash) and yet those responsible just change the company structure and continue on as before. Things are worse rather than better and the only reason this is newsworthy is the potential loss of income and national face.

[Nick167]

Does this mean that there will be no more thai -based airlines anymore?????

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The question is if there are any unsafe airlines operating why are they and who are these airlines , it is totally irresponsible for a administration to allow any unsafe airlines to operate and what will you do after now admitting there are unsafe airlines operating if one crashes, you in theory are now responsible for the safe passage of every airline from Thailand ,which in reality is the DCA who cannot pass a ICPO audit, it is time Thailand took more responsibility for its actions on all issues not just this one , close enough is not good enough , the headlines should read grounded, not maybe ground them. width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

alt=clap2.gif> Exactly and the MAY BE grounded could be a very big may be. The DCA have been sitting on their hands for years and now have been caught out but the type of action needed would admit VERY serious shortcomings in how Thailand operates and face is all important.

With ICPO the audit is every 2 years, IATA is every 2 so if you are a member of both you are audited every year, that's what all good airlines and aviation authorities do , Thai International is a member of Both, the argument is with the issuing authority failing its audit and the budget carriers not being members, so in practice they don't have to carry out maintenance to maker specifications that is a worry, especially on older planes.

Edited April 21, 2015 by chainarong

[geriatrickid]

The Headline should be substandard airlines will be grounded, from whichever country. Thailand certainly doesn't want or need a Malaysia escapade.

Malaysian escapade? What do you mean by that? One airliner was brought down by an anti aircraft missile and the other went down under mysterious circumstances. Up until that point MH had a decent recent safety record. Do you know the two entities who have had the highest frequency of crashes in Thailand? The Thai military and the USAF. There was a period during the late 1960's to mid 1970's when literally hundreds of USAF were crashing or having serious incidents in Thailand. Here's the 1st 3 months of incidents that have been recorded.

Guess who has been running the Thai civilian airline sector?

27Jan15 Basler BT-67 Thai AF Ran off runway on landing at Lopburi; crew uninjured

29Jan15 Bell 212 Thai Army Emergency landing on the grounds of a school at Ang Thong, Kanchanaburi following engine problems; no injuries

13 Feb15 ATR-72 Bangkok AW Damaged when tail clipped by taxiing Korean Air A330 at Yangon; A330 continued and took off, but returned to Yangon after being notified of the incident by ATC ‘

20Feb15 F-16A Thai AF Crashed in Khok Sampong district, Lopburi whilst taking part in missile launch training; pilot killed

20Mar15 Basler BT-67 Thai AF Burst tyre on landing & ran off runway at Chiang Mai, crew uninjured

Overall, since 2010, incidents in Thailand have been reduced significantly. However, the aircraft with incidents since 2010 include Orient Thai, Nok, Thai Air Asia, Siam GA,Thai Airways and the Thai military.

Edited April 21, 2015 by geriatrickid

[AyG]

The grounding of Thai airlines is a complete red herring. The ICPO's issue is with the DCA - not with any airline. The DCA has historically failed miserably in its duty to ensure high standards are maintained. That is the issue that needs to be addressed.

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The Headline should be substandard airlines will be grounded, from whichever country. Thailand certainly doesn't want or need a Malaysia escapade.

Malaysian escapade? What do you mean by that? One airliner was brought down by an anti aircraft missile and the other went down under mysterious circumstances. Up until that point MH had a decent recent safety record. Do you know the two entities who have had the highest frequency of crashes in Thailand? The Thai military and the USAF. There was a period during the late 1960's to mid 1970's when literally hundreds of USAF were crashing or having serious incidents in Thailand. Here's the 1st 3 months of incidents that have been recorded.

Guess who has been running the Thai civilian airline sector?

27Jan15 Basler BT-67 Thai AF Ran off runway on landing at Lopburi; crew uninjured

29Jan15 Bell 212 Thai Army Emergency landing on the grounds of a school at Ang Thong, Kanchanaburi following engine problems; no injuries

13 Feb15 ATR-72 Bangkok AW Damaged when tail clipped by taxiing Korean Air A330 at Yangon; A330 continued and took off, but returned to Yangon after being notified of the incident by ATC ‘

20Feb15 F-16A Thai AF Crashed in Khok Sampong district, Lopburi whilst taking part in missile launch training; pilot killed

20Mar15 Basler BT-67 Thai AF Burst tyre on landing & ran off runway at Chiang Mai, crew uninjured

Overall, since 2010, incidents in Thailand have been reduced significantly. However, the aircraft with incidents since 2010 include Orient Thai, Nok, Thai Air Asia, Siam GA,Thai Airways and the Thai military.

Take a look at the incidents for indon and you would never fly again.

[geriatrickid]

Take a look at the incidents for indon and you would never fly again.

Yes. You are correct. Maybe that's why so many Indonesian carriers are banned from many countries airspace.

And this leads into something that's moving Thailand's way. I give the General credit for at least understanding what will happen if he doesn't light a fire cracker under some posteriors. We'll soon see if it's too late.

[deckape]

The process is scheduled to be complete in July, a month after the June 18^th deadline given by the ICAO.

It would seem to be a simple issue to hire foreign staff to bolster the DCA's critical (criminal) understaffing. Drive the fully qualified staff, new and old, to complete reassessment of airline operators. They have TWO WHOLE MONTHS to get this thing right. Why not schedule a completion date for, say, a week before the deadline instead of a few weeks after.

It is possible that what is going on now is simply a face saving delay tactic. The Thais will wait until the ICAO takes concrete action, then offer weak excuses and bring in the (foreign) cavalry.

[Lupatria]

Substandard Airlines May Be Grounded

In other words: the safety of passengers may be taken in consideration.

[colinneil]

Sub standard airlines maybe grounded !! I think that is some kind of joke!!

AIRPLANE SAFETY PASSENGER SAFETY should be the first thought for any body. Not wait until something happens, because then it is to late.

In the late 80s i was flying aberdeen to sumburgh (shetland). I saw hydraulic fluid comeing out of the right side engine.

Twin turbo prop flown by Dan air (taken over weeks later by BA).

I spoke to the stewardess, no problem sir, it is from the overflow !! bloody idiot,!! hydraulic systems are sealed they do not have an overflow.

3 days later that same aircraft over ran the runway at Sumburgh, and people died.

[mathias67]

Will be grounded (or rather have been grounded) is what I want to hear.

For me any airline that flies planes which are unsafe to any degree then the bosses of those companies should spend a long period of time in prison) 5 years + ) Somthing goes wrong at 30,000 feet start praying. As for not enough officials to carry out these checks or should I say enough officials getting big back handers Thai style to ignore the problems think that is more like the truth

[cracker1]

Thailand’s Transport Ministry may have to ground substandard airlines.

I should hope so !

[pisico]

The question is if there are any unsafe airlines operating why are they and who are these airlines , it is totally irresponsible for a administration to allow any unsafe airlines to operate and what will you do after now admitting there are unsafe airlines operating if one crashes, you in theory are now responsible for the safe passage of every airline from Thailand ,which in reality is the DCA who cannot pass a ICPO audit, it is time Thailand took more responsibility for its actions on all issues not just this one , close enough is not good enough , the headlines should read grounded, not maybe ground them.

No worries. All airlines that do not comply with international standards will be relocated to non active flying posts. Same as with all the high echelons of all government officials in administrations, past, present and future.

Thaines uber ales.

[Johnny S]

Does this mean that there will be no more thai -based airlines anymore?????

Can always hope since they are not gonna suck it up and hire foreign Experts to deal with their safety problems - No Experts to hire in LOS

[billd766]

The question is if there are any unsafe airlines operating why are they and who are these airlines , it is totally irresponsible for a administration to allow any unsafe airlines to operate and what will you do after now admitting there are unsafe airlines operating if one crashes, you in theory are now responsible for the safe passage of every airline from Thailand ,which in reality is the DCA who cannot pass a ICPO audit, it is time Thailand took more responsibility for its actions on all issues not just this one , close enough is not good enough , the headlines should read grounded, not maybe ground them.

Exactly and the MAY BE grounded could be a very big may be. The DCA have been sitting on their hands for years and now have been caught out but the type of action needed would admit VERY serious shortcomings in how Thailand operates and face is all important.

From what I have read so far it is not so much that the DCA have been sitting on their hands as much as many previous governments ignoring their need for extra staff and extra funds.

[JAG]

The Headline should be substandard airlines will be grounded, from whichever country. Thailand certainly doesn't want or need a Malaysia escapade.

Malaysian escapade? What do you mean by that? One airliner was brought down by an anti aircraft missile and the other went down under mysterious circumstances. Up until that point MH had a decent recent safety record. Do you know the two entities who have had the highest frequency of crashes in Thailand? The Thai military and the USAF. There was a period during the late 1960's to mid 1970's when literally hundreds of USAF were crashing or having serious incidents in Thailand. Here's the 1st 3 months of incidents that have been recorded.

Guess who has been running the Thai civilian airline sector?

27Jan15 Basler BT-67 Thai AF Ran off runway on landing at Lopburi; crew uninjured

29Jan15 Bell 212 Thai Army Emergency landing on the grounds of a school at Ang Thong, Kanchanaburi following engine problems; no injuries

13 Feb15 ATR-72 Bangkok AW Damaged when tail clipped by taxiing Korean Air A330 at Yangon; A330 continued and took off, but returned to Yangon after being notified of the incident by ATC ‘

20Feb15 F-16A Thai AF Crashed in Khok Sampong district, Lopburi whilst taking part in missile launch training; pilot killed

20Mar15 Basler BT-67 Thai AF Burst tyre on landing & ran off runway at Chiang Mai, crew uninjured

Overall, since 2010, incidents in Thailand have been reduced significantly. However, the aircraft with incidents since 2010 include Orient Thai, Nok, Thai Air Asia, Siam GA,Thai Airways and the Thai military.

Whilst I see the point you're making, the pedant in me wanders whether the statistics for USAF aircraft crashes in the 60s and 70s are not skewed by the number returning to bases in Thailand with battle damage sustained over Vietnam?

[ezzra]

Thank you PM and thank you everybody in the aviation industry for allowing those 'substandard airline'

to be flying in the first place... really, thank you one and all....

[Beng]

Will be grounded (or rather have been grounded) is what I want to hear.

Agreed.

[Beng]

...may help the country’s standard airlines be approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Thai logic it seems.

[Suffinator]

Thailand’s Transport Ministry may have to ground substandard airlines.

Just about says everything about Thai safety standards.

Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that the grounding of substandard airlines may help the country’s standard airlines be approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization

Another moronic statement ... if airlines meet the ICAO requirements then those airlines being compliant wouldn't need help.

Prayut is doing everything in his power to ensure that the ICAO is confident in Thai airlines once again.

I wonder what this entails ... he's going to find out real quick that his 'power' means squat diddly with the ICAO.

The prime minister further elaborated on the concerns and doubts of the ICAO, stating that the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) is too small to handle the number of Thai airlines. While the number of airlines has increased, the number of people working for the DCA has not.

So he finally admits that the DCA is NOT up to the job of handling air safety due to inadequate and incompetent staff.

Prayut has ordered Gen Prajin to determine which airlines have not complied with current safety standards and to ground their flights as a result.

You mean he STILL doesn't know?

Add this debacle together the the EU planning on banning fishery products from Thailand and this country is heading for economic disaster. Can't blame this all on Prayut that's for sure but it just goes to show that Thainess doesn't achieve bugger all.

[geriatrickid]

The Headline should be substandard airlines will be grounded, from whichever country. Thailand certainly doesn't want or need a Malaysia escapade.

Malaysian escapade? What do you mean by that? One airliner was brought down by an anti aircraft missile and the other went down under mysterious circumstances. Up until that point MH had a decent recent safety record. Do you know the two entities who have had the highest frequency of crashes in Thailand? The Thai military and the USAF. There was a period during the late 1960's to mid 1970's when literally hundreds of USAF were crashing or having serious incidents in Thailand. Here's the 1st 3 months of incidents that have been recorded.

Guess who has been running the Thai civilian airline sector?

27Jan15 Basler BT-67 Thai AF Ran off runway on landing at Lopburi; crew uninjured

29Jan15 Bell 212 Thai Army Emergency landing on the grounds of a school at Ang Thong, Kanchanaburi following engine problems; no injuries

13 Feb15 ATR-72 Bangkok AW Damaged when tail clipped by taxiing Korean Air A330 at Yangon; A330 continued and took off, but returned to Yangon after being notified of the incident by ATC

20Feb15 F-16A Thai AF Crashed in Khok Sampong district, Lopburi whilst taking part in missile launch training; pilot killed

20Mar15 Basler BT-67 Thai AF Burst tyre on landing & ran off runway at Chiang Mai, crew uninjured

Overall, since 2010, incidents in Thailand have been reduced significantly. However, the aircraft with incidents since 2010 include Orient Thai, Nok, Thai Air Asia, Siam GA,Thai Airways and the Thai military.

Whilst I see the point you're making, the pedant in me wanders whether the statistics for USAF aircraft crashes in the 60s and 70s are not skewed by the number returning to bases in Thailand with battle damage sustained over Vietnam?

That's what I thought too. I checked and it was engine failure, pilot error, burst tires. Runway incursions, short landings etc. I had no idea that the usaf had sustained those types of losses at such a high frequency. Very different now but Back then it looked like mayhem at the airfields.