Transport minister optimistic that EASA will spare Thailand aviation safety downgrade

[snoop1130]

Transport minister optimistic that EASA will spare Thailand aviation safety downgrade

BANGKOK -- Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit expressed optimism today (Tuesday) that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) would not downgrade Thailand’s aviation safety standards this coming Thursday.

He said that the signing of an agreement on the joint cooperation between EASE and the Civil Aviatioin Office of Thailand to improve the country’s aviation safety standards today (Tuesday) represented a demonstration of Thailand’s determination to resolve the safety problem and to upgrade the standards up to internationally-recognised level.

In the worst case scenario if EASA downgrades Thailand’s aviation safety standards this coming Thursday, Thai airlines which operate flights to Europe may be banned from flying to European cities and cannot use code sharing with other airlines.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/transport-minister-optimistic-that-easa-will-spare-thailand-aviation-safety-downgrade

-- Thai PBS 2015-12-08

[clockman]

He should have been moved to an inactive post, long ago!

[JAG]

He should have been moved to an inactive post, long ago!

A large part of the problem would seem to be that he and his team have been treating it like an inactive post!

[KhunBENQ]

If Thai official signed a document that everything will become good then you should believe him, shouldn't you?

[nong38]

Optimism is something that Thais excell in, often is not well founded. I think it was Frank who said "Do you feel lucky, well do you?"

[tx22cb]

If EASA does not follow the other 2 Aviation authorities and does not similarly downgrade Thailand's aviation systems, then EASA is as bent as FIFA.

[anon467848]

The Transport Minister obviously doesn't realize that a thick 'brown envelope' won't take care of the problem this time around. Works well in SE Asia, but not in Western countries.

[webfact]

AVIATION
EU air safety verdict tomorrow
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ALL EYES will be on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)'s announcement of results of its evaluation of Thailand's aviation-safety standards tomorrow.

EASA's assessment will affect the international creditability of national flag carrier Thai Airways International and other Thai-registered airlines.

Yesterday, the European agency signed an agreement for a Cooperation Framework Arrangement on Aviation Safety with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

This will pave the way for the European agency to provide technical and other assistance to overhaul the Thai aviation-safety system after the "red flag" put on Thailand by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in June.

Last week, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also red-flagged Thailand, barring Thai carriers from operating more flights into the United States.

Earlier, THAI and MJets, a Thai charter-flight operator, were the only two locally registered carriers to seek a safety audit by EASA, as both operate flights into Europe.

THAI is currently operating from Bangkok to 11 European cities, while MJets also operates charter flights to Europe.

Speaking at the Thai Transport Ministry, Peter Bombay, deputy head of the European Union's aviation-safety unit, said EASA's assessment of THAI's and Mjets' safety would be announced tomorrow evening, Bangkok time.

While declining to speculate on the agency's safety-evaluation results on these and other Thai-registered airlines, he said Thailand played an important role in boosting aviation safety in the region over the long term.

A THAI executive, who asked not to be named, said the airline was confident it would get a green light from EASA to continue flights into Europe.

But both THAI and MJets said they were ready to adopt additional safety requirements if they are sought by EASA.

Some aviation experts believe that EASA may downgrade the safety status of THAI and other carriers like the FAA did on December 1, and ban these airlines from increasing flights to Europe.

"If EASA banned THAI, it would be a big problem for the national airline," another source said.

Patrick Ky, executive director of EASA, said safety was a major concern, so the aviation sector needed to have a long-term development plan.

Safety problems could still happen despite airlines having achieved industry best practices.

On the agreement with EASA, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpitayapaisith said working with EASA would help Thailand solve the shortage of qualified aviation experts for aircraft inspection and other safety requirements. "We will have to issue new licences to airlines registered here. We are working to review all necessary rules and regulations to ensure all airline operators meet high performance standards," Arkhom said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/EU-air-safety-verdict-tomorrow-30274553.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-09

[NongKhaiKid]

Standby for one of two reactions.

Option 1 : " Unfair, we try out best but foreigners no unner' stan' . "

Option 2 : " Everyone see how good we do. Now we can put our feet up until the next deadline is due. "

[thesetat2013]

So EASAs director has concerns about safety and the Thai attitude expressed here is that safety problems could still occur even if they have the BEST safety practices. This pretty much sums up why they are getting red flagged by everyone. Why bother having good safety practices if their will still be problems in safety?

Ridiculous that thais are even allowed to fly aircraft outside of Thailand at all with this kind of thinking.

[trainman34014]

Just hope they are not stupid enough to go soft on them and let them get away with all the usual whines and excuses. Hit them where it hurts....in the pocket, it's the only way to make them do something correctly and. worthwhile

[tuanku]

Optimism is the cheerful frame of mind that enables a teakettle to sing, though in hot water up to its nose. Earl Weaver

[Lupatria]

Did he attend an "explain the unexplainable to the media" weekend seminar held by the guys of the fishing industry?

[sanukjim]

He should have been moved to an inactive post, long ago!

The same guy that was optimistic about the FAA report.

[bangon04]

"But both THAI and MJets said they were ready to adopt additional safety requirements if they are sought by EASA."

but until then we are content to just muddle along as we always have....

[dru2]

Optimism is something that Thais excell in, often is not well founded. I think it was Frank who said "Do you feel lucky, well do you?"

I think it was Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry.