Japan lifts Thai ban temporarily

Japan’s civil aviation agency is to lift a ban on Thai-registered aircraft during April and May, mainly to reduce the effect on passenger traffic.
South Korea and China have banned Thailand-registered airlines from operating any new charters or new scheduled flights, following safety concerns raised by ICAO.
In January, Thailand’s transport minister, Air Chief Marshall Prajin Juntong, said that the two countries would sign a memorandum of understanding, which would include stricter inspections of planes and schedules.
Safety checks had uncovered problems on Thai VietJet, Jet Asia Airways and Thai Airways’ subsidiary airline, Thai Smile.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said today that it had stepped up surveillance and ramp inspections of Thai carriers’ aircraft but had not so far imposed any restrictions on carriers from the country.
Inspections had taken place under the Foreign Operators Surveillance Programme (FOSP). This took into consideration factors such as the safety oversight in the operator’s state, the carrier’s own operational capability and the safety records of the aircraft and aircraft type, as well as safety information from other aviation authorities.
Any major deficiencies found in the ramp inspections have to be addressed by the carrier for it to continue operations in Singapore.
CAAS added that it would closely monitor developments and consider further measures, as necessary, to ensure that safety is not compromised.
Thai Airways has currently suspended operations of its remaining two 747 freighter aircraft, citing weak market conditions, but said that they remain available for ad hoc charter work if required.