Thailand airlines have been spared a ban in Europe despite concerns over flight safety.
The European Commission has updated its list of airlines subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union.
It said that no carriers from Thailand had been added but that they would be closely monitored. The update also clears Kazakh carrier Air Astana, but adds Iraqi Airways.
The statement said:"No air carriers from Thailand were added to the Air Safety List at this time. The Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are willing to continue to work with the Thai authorities to enhance aviation safety in the country.
"The Commission and EASA will however closely monitor future developments and, if the protection of air passengers against safety risks so requires, the Commission could then propose to include one or more air carriers from Thailand in the Air Safety List."
Last month the US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), downgraded all Thai airlines to ‘category 2’.
Although no Thai airlines currently fly to or from the States, this prevents them from establishing new routes.
At the same time Japan and South Korean blocked new flights from Thai airlines which include Thai AirAsia X, NokScoot, Asia Atlantic Airline and flag carrier Thai Airways.
