The re-issuance yesterday of air operator's certificates (AOCs) to two more Thai-registered airlines indicates that nearly all of Thailand's carriers meet stringent global standards, observers say.
With Thai Lion Air and THAI Smile having their AOC re-certified, Thailand's airline sector has exceeded the basic requisite set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for removing the red flag placed on Thailand aviation, they said.
The combined numbers of aircraft deployed by the eight airlines that were re-certified account for 84% of the kingdom's overall commercial airline fleet, compared with 75% required by the ICAO, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittiyapaisith said yesterday.
The size of flights operated by these eight airlines represents 92% of aggregate domestic and international flights operated by all carriers registered in the kingdom.
Yet, these eight airlines carry 97% of all passengers being transported by overall Thai-registered airlines.
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) director-general Chula Sukmanop said those numbers bode well for the possibility that the ICAO will remove its red flag over Thai aviation standards by the end of the year. The remaining 13 Thai-registered airlines awaiting re-certification from the CAAT would represent a small portion in terms of total flight operation size.
NewGen Airways, Thailand's largest China-focused charter operator, and private jet charter Mjets are next in line for being re-issued with their AOCs next month, Mr Chula said.
Aside from Thai Lion Air and THAI Smile, those which were granted new AOCs are Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia X, NokScoot and Nok Air. By Aug 31, the CAAT expects that all the re-certified airlines will altogether represent 98% of all carried passenger volumes.
On June 30, CAAT officially submitted an application to the ICAO for auditing which will take place in September this year, a process likely to take 2-3 months.
The ICAO audit will address "significant safety concerns" levelled at the Thai civil aviation authority itself, rather than airlines, back in 2015. Removing the ICAO's red-flag will clear constraints restricting Thai-registered airlines from operating internationally, especially in countries which strictly abide by ICAO rules.