AVIATION
AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
Orient Thai Airlines and its budget carrier One-Two-Go have been grounded for another two months for failing to bring pilot training up to standard. Aviation Department director-general Chaisak Angsuwan said yesterday the two airlines had failed to correct shortcomings since they were first suspended for 30 days on July 22.
The suspension period had therefore been extended for another 30 days, from Aug 21 to Sept 20.
If the two airlines continued to fall short of the required standard their operating licences would be cancelled, Mr Chaisak said.
Neiother airline had sent their MD-80 pilots for refresher training as required. They had failed to produce operation management and flight safety manuals, and to introduce a quality assurance system.
Mr Chaisak said the investigation into the crash of One-Two-Go flight OG269 at Phuket airport on Sept 16 last year was caused by a combination of human error and bad weather. The plane crashed in heavy rain and high winds while trying to land, claiming the lives of 89 passengers and crew and injuring 41 others.
Company chairman Udom Tantiprasongchai admitted yesterday the airlines had not sent all their MD-80 pilots for re-training.
He said there were more than 60 pilots, so they had to wait for their turn. This would take at least another 30 days.
All 10 of the airlines' Boeing 747 pilots had completed their retraining.
Orient Thai now operates only one daily flight from Suvarnabhumi airport to Hong Kong.
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