The transport minister anticipates the resumption of direct flights between Thailand and the US now that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has upgraded Thailand’s aviation safety rating to Category 1.
Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit announced on Tuesday that the FAA had published on its website the decision to elevate Thailand from Category 2 back to Category 1.
Countries classified as Category 1 are recognized for complying with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards, whereas Category 2 countries do not meet these standards.
“Thailand was designated as Category 2 in 2015… This is excellent news for Thailand’s aviation industry,” he remarked.
The upgrade permits Thai airlines to resume or expand flight routes from Thailand to the US, providing Thai travelers with a greater selection of routes, schedules, and airfare options. Additionally, Thai pilots will have increased job prospects with international airlines that previously dismissed them due to Thailand’s former Category 2 status.
Moreover, international tourists will likely gain more confidence in the Thai aviation sector, along with increased travel options when visiting Thailand, which is beneficial for tourism, Mr. Suriya stated.
The minister noted that the FAA reviewed Thailand’s aviation standards in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand last November. Confirmations made during discussions on March 10-12 verified that Thailand had addressed previous safety concerns.
When Thailand was downgraded in 2015, reports indicated that the issues were linked to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s capacity to enforce technical and safety regulations.
