Thailand expects ICAO to lift its red flag in October

BANGKOK, July 6 (TNA) – Thailand has requested the International Civil Aviation Organization to consider lifting its red flag in October after the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) improved safety standard as recommended, said a deputy spokesperson of the National Council for Peace and Order. Col Sirichan Ngathong said the national administration reform committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon acknowledged a report on the CAAT’s work to improve aviation safety standard covering evaluation procedures and instructions, and the issuance of new air operator certificates (AOC). “On June 30 a request for the removal of the red flag was filed with the ICAO and ICAO team will arrive for examination and evaluation in September. The result will be known one month afterwards, or October 2017 when it will turn out whether the red flag on Thailand will be lifted,” Col Sirichan said. According to her, the CAAT issued new AOCs for six airlines. It is checking stations and air operations of four airlines and examining documents of seven airlines. If these airlines do not obtain AOCs before Sept 1, they will not be able to operate international flights. The CAAT is encouraging the airlines to meet standard as quickly as possible so that it can report the progress to the ICAO. (TNA)