The rather tranquil picture of a beautiful Thai Airways International aircraft gently cruising on its way to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is clobbered by reports from Thailand of a year (2015) that many would rather forget.
     First a military coup. Then revelations of slaves in the seafood industry and other human trafficking horrors. In August, a deadly bomb struck central Bangkok. And now, the United States has declared Thailand’s aviation industry unsafe, striking at the heart of that countries image in the world’s top aviation market.
      As reported by FT in July 2015, an ICAO safety audit in early December found the Thai aviation system deficient and not matching international minimum safety standards.
      As a result, both the FAA and their European counterpart EASA conducted their own audits.
      But while FAA has taken action, EASA has not. Just ten days after FAA, EASA declared that it is satisfied Thailand carriers can operate into the EU.
      The fact that no Thai airlines appeared on the EASA “black list” list can be viewed as a lifeline for Thai Airways International.
      Of course as these things go, Thai Airways is the only major airline flying into Europe from that Asian country.
      Thai Airways said 35 percent of the airline’s total revenues are generated from EU.
      The FAA audit which took place in July 2015 cited three key problems: A shortage of qualified civil aviation inspectors to carry out safety inspections on aircraft and airlines registered in Thailand; a lack of qualified staff for aircraft being operated in Thailand (which includes qualified pilots, certified aircraft mechanics as well as postholders appointed by airlines, MRO organizations, and ground handling companies); and incomplete—sometimes even lacking—standard aviation manuals. The latter is a shortcoming identified in particular regarding low-cost operators, a booming business in Asia.
      While currently no Thai-registered airline operates scheduled services to and from the U.S. after Thai Airways (TG) had suspended their daily service from Bangkok (BKK) to Los Angeles (LAX) effective October 25th, the U.S. verdict on Thai aviation will effectively bar TG from executing code share agreements with star alliance partner United Airlines (UA) as well as prevent the company from taking up new services to the U.S.
      The FAA move also has a detrimental effect on cash-strapped Thai Airways’ access to lease and operate U.S.-registered aircraft and considerably drives up insurance premiums.

Jens