A new independent body is likely to be established to direct the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Transport Minister Prajin Juntong says.
Meanwhile, reform of Thai aviation will be needed in a long-term effort to address the department's problems as identified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), he said after meeting concerned parties yesterday.
Law changes will be needed to allow restructuring of the DCA, he said.
A proposal for an independent body to direct the DCA would take about three months to conclude before it is submitted for approval.
The DCA's duties of ensuring aviation security and accident prevention will be shifted to the Transport Ministry, he said.
"I'm confident the DCA will be able to address all concerns raised by the ICAO while in the long run, a new plan for aviation reform will be implemented to improve aviation standards," he said.
"As of now, all airlines certified by the DCA are still considered as meeting safety standards. However, if the DCA fails to meet the 90-day deadline [for addressing the ICAO's concerns], negative impacts may arise," the minister said.
The ICAO on Jan 19-30 conducted an audit of the DCA's operations.
On Saturday, the ICAO revealed the results of its examination of the DCA's operations saying the department had to urgently improve standards for issuing Air Operator's Certificates (AOC) and regulations for transporting hazardous items such as batteries, engines, and flammable substances. The minister said the ICAO first identified these problems back in 2005.
Part of the DCA's problem lies in under-staffing. The minister said he has instructed permanent secretary for transport Sroithip Traisuth to work out ways to increase staff numbers in the next 90 days.
The agency will hold a seminar in April to devise ways of reforming aviation in the long term. The Transport Ministry, the DCA, airlines, and the armed forces will attend.
An airline source who attended the meeting with the minister yesterday said he now felt more confident in the government's handling of problems surrounding the DCA.
