Thailand's aviation safety standards: AAV affirms no impact from ICAO's latest move

[webfact]

AVIATION
AAV affirms no impact from ICAO's latest move
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Asia Aviation (AAV), the listed majority shareholder of Thai AirAsia, vows to maintain its aircraft acquisition and route expansion plans despite the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)'s latest decision on Thailand's safety standards.

At a press conference, Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia and Asia Aviation, said: "We will definitely be introducing new routes. In response to ICAO's action in red-flagging Thailand, we affirm that Thai AirAsia will not be affected in any way and that we are ready to continue serving flights as usual."

The press conference followed a dissatisfactory development at Thai AirAsia X. The airline yesterday announced that its Bangkok-Sapporo route would be suspended from August 1 onwards, as Japan’s rule relaxation will expire.

AAV share price dropped by 0.92 per cent in the morning, to Bt4.30.

Thai AirAsia X is a joint venture of Malaysia-based AirAsia and Tassapon as well as Julpas Krueospon who hold the combined 51 per cent stake. It operates long-haul flights to support Thai AirAsia operations.

On June 18, ICAO made a public announcement of a red flag on Thailand through its website following an audit of the Department of Civil Aviation, Thailand that turned up a Significant Safety Concern (SSC).

Tassapon noted that the low-cost airline witnessed satisfactory returns from the first quarter of this year until now as the tourism industry bounced back from last year.

At the end of the year, the airline plans to receive 2 additional aircraft to bring its fleet to 45 this year.

Tassapon also voiced confidence in the airline's ability to ensure the utmost safety standards while stating that many countries have recently increased safety precautions including ramp inspections, station audits and base audits, all of which have shown AirAsia to be within acceptable parameters with no issues for concern.

Tassapon assured to AAV investors that the company does not hold shares in Thai AirAsia X, thus AAV will not be affected by the situation in any way.

Source; http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/AAV-affirms-no-impact-from-ICAOs-latest-move-30262908.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-23

[webfact]

Cabinet's approval sought for aviation improvement
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry will today seek the Cabinet's approval for the restructuring of the aviation authorities, following the International Civil Aviation Organisation's warning on safety standards.

Thai AirAsia X yesterday announced that it would suspend the service to Sapporo from August 1 onwards and planned to resume the service as soon as the situation returns to normal. At present, it can operate daily flight to Sapporo on the temporary permission from the Japan Civil Aviation. Their services to Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul are spared from the mishap. Today, Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, calls for a press conference, where he would discuss the impact on Thai tourism regarding to the safety issue and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said yesterday that he would update the Cabinet on the progress in meeting the ICAO’s recommendations. The restructuring of Department of Civil Aviation, to be discussed, woudl be one of the master action plans set to deal with aviation crisis.

He said that passengers would be in trouble if airlines stop operation (because of the mishap).

He said that other airlines had maintained their operation plans, as they had got approval for flight schedules ahead of the ICAO's aviation safety issue.

The minister said he would report to the Cabinet today about the latest developments and the progress on solutions to the safety concern issue.

A Cabinet approval will also be sought for the restructuring of the Department of Civil Aviation as part of the master plan to tackle the issue.

Revision of aviation and related laws are under way and are expected to be complete in October this year to ensure that Thailand's regulatory and operator roles in the aviation sector are separate and they meet international standards for various aviation services to passenger, freighters and others.

Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul yesterday said Thailand is relatively spared from both incidents as the majority of foreign tourists have maintained plans to visit Thailand.

"We haven’t witnessed high cancellation regarding MERS and aviation safety issue," she added. The ministry is confident that the tourist arrival target of 28.8 million and targeted revenue of Bt2.2 trillion would be achieved.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Cabinets-approval-sought-for-aviation-improvement-30262889.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-23

[steveyinasia]

Not affected in any way, then why stop the BKK to Sapporo flights....seems the be a little contradictive don't you think?

[BigBadGeordie]

I love the way they phrase this incident of gross incompetence as a "mishap"

[atsiii]

And on the same day, same website, we have the following headline:

Thai Airlines Cancel Flights, Delay Plane Purchases Due to UN's Red Flag

[ChrisY1]

http://www.eturbonews.com/60534/thai-airways-forced-cut-its-global-network-big-way-immediately

Thailand now downgraded to Category 2

Not going to affect things ???...ok....we'll see how the generals get out of this one!

[Oziex1]

Is anyone in authority government or private enterprise actually considering making the effort to meet these regulations and the deadlines?

They just keep saying it doesn't matter.

And BTW nice pic of an aircraft belonging to an airline from another country.

[carstenp]

http://www.eturbonews.com/60534/thai-airways-forced-cut-its-global-network-big-way-immediately

Thailand now downgraded to Category 2

Not going to affect things ???...ok....we'll see how the generals get out of this one!

First thanks for the link to a better article, About this issue. A more deep article writing about this issue say this Has going on since 2013 named Thai Airways Safety not so smooth? Good people have no voice

http://www.eturbonews.com/59648/thai-airways-safety-not-so-smooth-good-people-have-no-voice

If this is how Thai airlines has handled the issue, I'm glad I only used them once.