The number of serious aircraft incidents in Thailand has significantly increased post-COVID, as the lifting of travel restrictions has led to a resurgence in air travel demand.
Last year, there were 11 “serious incidents” involving aircraft registered in Thailand and other countries, a notable jump from just two incidents in 2021 and six in 2022, according to the Thailand Annual Safety Report 2023 released over the weekend.
This annual report is compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
Despite the rise in “serious incidents,” the number of actual aircraft “accidents” decreased to two last year, down from four in 2022, continuing a downward trend since 2018.
“While the accident rate remains relatively stable, there has been a marked increase in serious incidents since 2021 and the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the report stated.
Most of the serious incidents in 2023 involved commercial aircraft, with a few involving privately owned planes.
The aviation regulator did not provide a specific definition for a “serious incident.” However, Air Safety Support International characterizes them as “an incident involving circumstances indicating a high probability of an accident, associated with aircraft operations.”
Air Safety Support International is a non-profit organization under the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Examples of serious incidents included an emergency landing at Hat Yai airport on June 24 last year due to smoke in the cockpit, and a plane that landed prior to the runway at Samui airport on August 29.
The most frequently reported occurrence was birdstrikes, accounting for nearly 43% of total incidents last year. The report noted there were 1,610 cases related to bird issues, encompassing both bird encounters and birdstrikes. Incidents involving other wildlife came in second, with 410 reported occurrences, albeit significantly fewer.
