Monday, April 6, 2015

Thailand airlines banned due to security concern

Thailand airlines are now in chaos.


International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an international audit, reported that it found significant safety concerns with the safety in Thai airlines companies. Considering this warning, Japan decided to refuse permission for newly charter flights of Thai airlines. Then, South Korea, China, and Singapore followed the decision of Japan.

Voice of America: China, Singapore Join Japan, South Korea in Scrutinizing Thailand Flights


Australia has not banned Thai airlines, perhaps because Thai Airways is the only company which regularly operates in Australia from Thailand, according to Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It is eager to keep in touch with Thai Airways for further investigation.

Thai Airways has been banned from flying to China, Japan, and South Korea over safety fears - so why does it still fly to Australia?

The Thai government accepts the suggestion of ICAO, and is planning to borrow military power if necessary to improve the safety of the flights. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will be invited to inspect operations of the Thai aviation supervisory agency to fix this situation as soon as possible.

The Wall Street Journal: Japan Clips Thailand’s Wings With Airline Ban

ABS CBN NEWS: Why Japan, China, Korea banned new flights from Thai airlines

This incident seems to be attributed to the compromised permission by the domestic regulators so far. It is possible that Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) in Thailand had a difficulty to fulfill the safety standard of aviation due to the restriction of the cost.

I trust the safety of LCCs basically. But excessive cost reduction can sacrifice the margin of the safety issues, as I experienced myself. Being just after the tragedy of Germanwings, public concern to Thai airlines must be ignited. It is too late to reconsider after an accident occurs. I accept the decisions of some countries to ban Thai airlines, even if thousands of people would be affected.

My past entry: A particular reason for delay in LCC

My past entry: German airbus crashed in France

I have not used Thai Airways, but have heard that the first class of it was luxury despite being not so expensive. If having an opportunity, I would like to enjoy it. I hope that Thai authority will solve this issue soon.

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