ICAO lifts Thailand aviation ‘red flag’

The Thailand aviation sector has won a reprieve with the removal of a ‘red flag’ by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

After a thorough week-long inspection visit the ICAO was satisfied 33 regulatory safety issues have been addressed satisfactorily.

The red flag was first imposed in 2015.

The ICAO authorisation is a boost for the industry as Thai airlines can now expand overseas routes and there is no restrictions on the frequency of flights for new routes

Also, the restriction imposed on issuing new airline operating licenses has been lifted.

Chula Sukmanop, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority said it will give the tourism industry a huge boost and fast track expansion of Thai airlines looking to add new routes.

The Thai aviation market has been growing at 8% thanks to a tourism boom driven notably by the key China market.