Asian Air charter flight sends documents late to Japan

BANGKOK, April 11 (TNA) - Asian Air charter flight with 233 passengers was unable to depart from Bangkok to Japan Friday night because the airline sent documents required by Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) after officer hours, said Somchai Piputvat (สมชาย พิพุธวัฒน์), Director-general of Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA). His clarification was made following reports that the plane was unable to leave for Japan, causing its passengers to have been left stranded in Bangkok. The department had ordered the airline to return ticket fee amounting 2,400 baht to each passenger, while passengers from upcountry were also given a free shelter at a hotel. Somchai explained the airline sent documents to JCAB, which reached the latter's office in Japan after 5pm, making it impossible for JCAB to send a confirmation reply. Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed earlier, safety standards on all commercial flight flying from Thailand to Japan are to be inspected first and signed by the department and another inspection in details is to be made by JCAB after the charter flights land in Japan. JCAB has allowed charter flights to fly from Thailand to Japan from April 11-May 31, 2015, Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong has said earlier. (TNA)