Business Air wins take-off go-ahead, warned on safety

Business Air wins take-off go-ahead, warned on safety

The Administrative Court has granted Business Air the right to resume operations pending a final ruling on its massive unpaid debt burden.

However, the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has issued a warning to the airline it must meet aviation safety standards before continuing its flights.

Business Air's operations were suspended on Jan 16 because the firm was unable to settle unpaid debt estimated at one billion baht, according to DCA director-general Somchai Piputvat. 

The abrupt suspension left 700 passengers stranded at South Korea's Incheon airport. Hundreds of other tourists who were about to depart Suvarnabhumi airport for South Korea also had their flights cancelled.

Business Air on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Administrative Court, which yesterday issued an injunction to allow the firm to carry on business until the court hands down a ruling. The company's operation licence ends in two years.

"Business Air now has the right to operate flights as permitted by the court, but as for the approval of its flight timetable, DCA still has to consider its readiness and aviation safety as a key factor," said the DCA director-general. 

Mr Somchai said the airline has only one plane in service after two others failed to meet standards. He said an airline needs to have at least two aircraft to operate.

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