The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau has reminded Thailand to keep its promise of regular updates on steps being taken to resolve safety problems after the agency postponed sanctions against Thai airlines.
The Department of Civil Aviation had successfully lobbied its Japanese counterpart to allow Thai-registered airlines to continue operating in Japan from April 11 to May 31 by pledging to better coordinate and update the bureau on efforts to correct deficiencies in airline inspection and certification highlighted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Transport Minister Prajin Jantong said Thursday Japanese aviation officials had contacted DCA director-general Somchai Phiphutthawat to complain that they had seen no improvement in coordination nor received sufficient updates.
The JCAB notified the DCA in late March that it would ban Thai carriers from increasing flights or changing routes to Japan following an ICAO alert about "significant safety concerns". That ban was only stayed by an April 3 agreement containing Thailand's pledge of better communications.
ACM Prajin considered the message from Japan a warning signal and said a committee will be formed to allow Thai officials to work closely with their Japanese counterparts.
He defended Thailand's efforts to improve safety, noting Mr Somchai had travelled to several other countries, including Germany and South Korea. The visits were seen as attempts by Thailand to lobby other aviation agencies not to impose a similar ban on Thai airlines.
The Transport Ministry will meet on May 6 to review a corrective-action plan before presenting it to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. ACM Prajin said an approved plan then will be sent to the ICAO and the Japanese aviation agency.
He said the country still had time to deal with Japan, as the end of its grace period is still a month away.
Japan is a popular destination for Thai tourists and many travel agencies take their customers on charter flights from Thailand to Japan due to the cheaper cost.
