Thai aviation safety overhaul to be completed by Aug 2016

[webfact]

Aviation safety overhaul to be completed by Aug 2016
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION



WORRIES THAT THE EUROPEAN AGENCY WILL FOLLOW IN FOOTSTEPS OF THE US IN DOWNGRADING THAILAND

BANGKOK: -- THAI AUTHORITIES are expected to complete the overhaul of the national aviation safety system by August next year, after which the country should qualify to have the International Civil Aviation Organisation's red flag on safety concern lifted, according to the Transport Ministry.

The new deadline is about five months later than initially planned, said the ministry, after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday downgraded Thailand's aviation status over safety concerns.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he was informed of the FAA downgrade in advance, adding that Thai authorities are working hard to solve the problems and meet international safety standards.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said there should be no panic as remedial actions were under way, but he admitted it would take time to solve safety problems that have accumulated over several years.

However, and other deputy PM, Somkid Jatusripitak, warned of psychological impacts from the FAA downgrade, even though the economic effects might not be significant since Thai Airways International (THAI) does not operate flights to the United States.

He said Thailand had to turn the situation into an opportunity to overhaul the aviation safety system so as to boost international confidence.

The FAA downgrade is understood to be based on the ICAO's red flag, which was placed on Thailand's aviation sector in June.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to follow the FAA's example on December 10 when it announces the findings of its latest investigation.

On Tuesday, the FAA announced that Thailand did not comply with ICAO safety standards and so had been relegated from Category 1 to Category 2 based on a reassessment of the country's civil-aviation authority.

The FAA move followed discussions with Thai authorities that ended on October 28.

The FAA previously gave Thailand a Category 2 rating in 1996, before an upgrade the following year. After reassessments in 2001 and 2008, Thailand maintained the Category 1 rating.

Transport Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit said his ministry would take about nine months to solve 23 to 34 significant safety problems found by the ICAO and the FAA. The new deadline has been set for August 2016.

Preecha Pradubmook, secretary of a task force responsible for resolving civil-aviation issues, said it would take more than four months to solve the problems, including insufficient laws and regulations, low safety standards, issues of aircraft operation and maintenance standards, and a shortage of aviation experts and trained officers.

The ministry has asked the ICAO for an organisation and management model to help resolve the problems. It has also asked for expert help on revising aviation regulations.

THAI president Charamporn Jotikasthira said the airline would not be affected because it did not operate direct flights to the US, after the termination of its Bangkok-Los Angeles route on October 25. The airline currently operates to 11 cities in Europe, a region that generates one-third of THAI's revenue. The airline has prepared some plans to deal with Europe if the EASA makes a similar downgrade to the FAA.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways, the country's largest carrier, said it would not face any significant impacts from the FAA downgrade either as there was no flight service between Thailand and the US.

Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, said it also did not operate any routes to the US, nor did it have any code-share agreements with US carriers.

According to an aviation-industry research note by Maybank, the FAA's decision was not entirely unexpected. There have been rumblings for several months that a downgrade was likely after the ICAO gave Thailand a red flag in June.

The impact of the FAA's decision is that Thai airlines could suffer from higher lease rates, stricter maintenance covenants and increased insurance premiums.

The next hurdle for Thai aviation is that the EASA will release its results in mid-December. If the EASA downgrades, THAI is likely to be the most affected.

Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents said the country's image had been damaged by poor management.

He urged the authorities to restore the confidence of international airlines and authorities as soon as possible.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Aviation-safety-overhaul-to-be-completed-by-Aug-20-30274208.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-03

[beano2274]

Did someone say that after the previous inspection, things would be rectified? What happened then?

[beano2274]

so those who fly Thai will have to pay even more for a seat (increase in leasing costs, and insurance premiums), the other carriers must be rubbing their hands together and enjoying this.

The problem is going to be that those who go to other carriers will find it hard to go back to Thai once they have tried airlines like Qatar, Oman, Eva, Emirates, Etihad just to name a few.

Edited December 2, 2015 by beano2274

[trogers]

Seems Thai aviation standards started downhill after the move from Don Muang. I wonder why...

[Somtamnication]

Well, the aviation techies will need to learn English first in order to understand the bad bad farang reports!

[ezzra]

Ok.... funny that only few days ago they didn't know that they had to do any thing concerning the safety

of Thai aviation, but now already they announced completion by August...

You gotta give it ti the Thais, they either do nothing to fix the problem of finish fixing it in few months....

[trogers]

Ok.... funny that only few days ago they didn't know that they had to do any thing concerning the safety

of Thai aviation, but now already they announced completion by August...

You gotta give it ti the Thais, they either do nothing to fix the problem of finish fixing it in few months....

This is why foreigners can live in Thailand for decades serving the private sector...

[Sir Swagman]

Sorry, my bad ....

I used to work for TG and have worked with other airlines also. They were an aeroclub then and this is hardly surprising, just this time they have been caught out! The problems were entrenched, with vast overstaffing, ex airforce mafia type cabals running the place and a lack of acceptance of international procedures beyond the minimum required. Foreign assistance would get the place up and running properly (and quickly by comparison), but.... I wouldn't hold my breath on that happening.

[MaiChai]

Too much mai phen rai?

Also too many downgrades what with fishing bans, human trafficking, etc.

There was a time when Thailand was shooting forward and trying and achieving international standards. Now they seem to have degenerated. Maybe its arrogance, reverting back to old cultural habits or just plain I am going to do things my way?

[MaxLee]

More time for operation "rug it under the carpet".... such an ignorant statement deserves an immediate boycott of all international flights to Thailand, as well as a boycott of al Thai airlines.....

Oh, man oh man, dear General, why don't you shut Thailand down from the rest of the world.....???

[IamNoone88]

Wonderful that a number of the local airlines show no due concern - because they have no US routes. They show little concern over the 23-34 significant safety standards failings ........ or any ambition to have a standard in the first place. Very concerning.

[jacko45k]

so those who fly Thai will have to pay even more for a seat (increase in leasing costs, and insurance premiums), the other carriers must be rubbing their hands together and enjoying this.

The problem is going to be that those who go to other carriers will find it hard to go back to Thai once they have tried airlines like Qatar, Oman, Eva, Emirates, Etihad just to name a few.

Don't those who fly Thai already pay more for their seats?

[JAG]

More time for operation "rug it under the carpet".... such an ignorant statement deserves an immediate boycott of all international flights to Thailand, as well as a boycott of al Thai airlines.....

Oh, man oh man, dear General, why don't you shut Thailand down from the rest of the world.....???

That appears to be what is gradually happening.

Rather sad.

Edited December 3, 2015 by JAG

[metisdead]

Nonsense posts have been removed, it would be a good idea to stop attempts at circumventing the NOTICE TO MEMBERS POSTING IN THAILAND NEWS guidelines.

[simon43]

significant safety problems

What is a significant safety problem?

'The plane should fly OK today, but tomorrow it might crash'

'It is quite safe for you Sir, but I'm going by car'

If someone told me that the airline whose plane that I was about to board had 25 or so significant safety problems, I would be more than a little concerned!

[kannot]

"Aviation safety overhaul to be completely forgotten by Aug 2016"

Ive amended the title to help us foreigners understand more easily

Edited December 3, 2015 by kannot

[manhood]

Since ages Thailand knows about the problem of the aviation system but just kept on going and not worry about the stupid comments from foreign countries.

But as we know, Thais only learn their lesson when it hurts!

So on my opinion it would be time to ban them from European airports as well and kick them out!

To overcome that situation it will take some more decades!

Mhhh yes all the foreigners and foreign countries don't understand!

We will never understand and not going to understand the stupid way of the Thai style they perform here in this country!

[mercman24]

I think at last they have finally woken up,(head out of sand , finger out of A**, etc.) they were not worried about the "no fly" to the USA, but if the EU, goes the same way with the downgrade, then they are in deep doggy doo doos.if Thailand wants to be part of this world, they need to get their house in order big time.

[mercman24]

i had (or tried to have) a conversation with an intelligent lady of the virtues of untapped wealth of intelligent farangs living here be it Aviation, (i know that by some of the posts i see on here) or any other subject.what did she do, PUT BOTH FINGERS IN HER EARS UNTIL I HAD FINISHED TALKING, yes that just about sums up a Thais thought pattern.

[Mister Fixit]

More time for operation "rug it under the carpet".... such an ignorant statement deserves an immediate boycott of all international flights to Thailand, as well as a boycott of al Thai airlines.....

Oh, man oh man, dear General, why don't you shut Thailand down from the rest of the world.....???

Obfuscation is the Thai way ...

And I think that shutting off Thailand from the big bad world which says nasty things about Thailand is just what Prayut wants.

[Dustdevil]

Sorry, my bad ....

I used to work for TG and have worked with other airlines also. They were an aeroclub then and this is hardly surprising, just this time they have been caught out! The problems were entrenched, with vast overstaffing, ex airforce mafia type cabals running the place and a lack of acceptance of international procedures beyond the minimum required. Foreign assistance would get the place up and running properly (and quickly by comparison), but.... I wouldn't hold my breath on that happening.

Malaysia is worse in my opinion. Three recent, stupid, preventable disasters by Malaysian-owned carriers. Don't get me started as to their own entrenched culture.

[trainman34014]

More time for operation "rug it under the carpet".... such an ignorant statement deserves an immediate boycott of all international flights to Thailand, as well as a boycott of al Thai airlines.....

Oh, man oh man, dear General, why don't you shut Thailand down from the rest of the world.....???

He's been trying to do that since he took over last May and is still trying his hardest. However; he hasn't achieved anything else of note yet except being a bully or a cry baby, so i don't expect him to succeed with his greatest wish !!

[NCC1701A]

how does one retroactively trace what maintenance has or has not been done on a aircraft, with thousands of parts, without proper records?

[Krataiboy]

Sounds like flying at 30,000 feet on a Thai airliner is about as safe as one of those white-knuckle rides on the clapped-out buses which are constantly running out of road and killing and injuring scores of passengers.

This red flag is a major blow to the Thai airline industry, as it will not only erode public confidence and push up the airlines' running costs but also do lasting damage to the image of the international and domestic carriers at a time when the tourist industry is in the doldrums.

The mai pen rai attitude of industry spokesmen and government officials is typical - and one of the explanations for the poor performance of so many Thai businesses. Customer service, if it ever existed, is becoming as rare here as once-abundant herds of wild deer and rabbits and is in need of an overhaul even more than the sub-standard aircraft..

If and when the safety problems are fixed, it will still take a while for the sector to persuade the domestic and international travelling public that things are :Smooth as silk" again. Meanwhile, the reduced tax take from falling airline revenues inevitably means more turbulence ahead for a Thai economy already buffeted by strong headwinds.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Krataiboy

[MobileContent]

I think at last they have finally woken up,(head out of sand , finger out of A**, etc.) they were not worried about the "no fly" to the USA, but if the EU, goes the same way with the downgrade, then they are in deep doggy doo doos.if Thailand wants to be part of this world, they need to get their house in order big time.

It's in fact not only Europe. ICAO is a global organisation and after Europe - Australia, Japan and South Korea might follow. The Chinese might stop City Airways and R Airlines from flying to China as well.

[jerojero]

Deadlines that keep moving aren't deadlines. They are confirmation of incompetence.

[lostmebike]

'The new deadline is about five months later than initially planned'

hmmmm ...

'Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said there should be no panic as remedial actions were under way, but he admitted it would take time to solve safety problems that have accumulated over several years'

That's what happens when one's head is in the sand, one only pulls it out when the sand gets too hot!

[gchurch259]

Enough of this, will some agency please publish a specific list of the problems with the DCA (Department of Civil Aviation) and/or airlines. In my Consulting Business I have Audited/Inspected most of the major airlines in the world and Thai Airways International is as good or better than most .

So how about some specifics instead of, "Oh, the Elephant has a problem" !!

[kannot]

'The new deadline is about five months later than initially planned'

hmmmm ...

'Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said there should be no panic as remedial actions were under way, but he admitted it would take time to solve safety problems that have accumulated over several years'

That's what happens when one's head is in the sand, one only pulls it out when the sand gets too hot!

or add lots of water to the sand and sink forever

[ToS2014]

I am so glad that "Thai authorities are working hard to solve the problems and meet international safety standards", I just wonder when this work will actually begin. The bigger question is why didn't they start their hard work much earlier? Sounds eerily similar to their fishing, trafficking, and other problems...