THAI unveils safety improvements

THAI unveils safety improvements

Thai Airways International said it has started work to improve its safety standards in January and the airline is confident results will be seen before June.

Every aspect of the airline’s aviation safety will meet the top-level of international standards before June, said THAI president Charamporn Jotikasthira.

“THAI is up there on a global standard as it has been subject to checks by safety inspectors from all over the world,” he said. 

Mr Charamporn is confident that THAI will become one of the safest airlines in the Asia-Pacific region.

The current aviation safety issues raised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation will provide an opportunity for THAI to strengthen its own standing, he said.

Department of Civil Aviation procedures for granting aviation licences failed to meet ICAO standards during an audit of the Thai aviation regulator in January.

Concerns were also raised over how the DCA issues air operator certificates and regulates transporting hazardous items. The DCA was given a 90-day grace period to comply with ICAO requirements.

The safety improvements THAI has undertaken are five-fold.

First, personnel, including pilots and station managers, underwent further training and are better prepared for random ramp checks, which have increased since problems with the ICAO began.

Second, the carrier has improved its assessment of ground operations, customer services and transport of dangerous goods in bid to maintain high standards. Third, external auditors have been hired to help manage and review safety procedures which are subject to more frequent inspections.

The auditors are from the Star Alliance global airlines network, of which THAI is a member, and they will arrive in about two weeks.

Fourth, the national carrier has made preparations for safety inspections by civil aviation authorities from other countries, and fifth, THAI’s business plans are to be adjusted in accordance with any rising safety issues and situations.

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