The ICAO recently completed an inspection of the civil aviation safety oversight system under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme-Continuous Monitoring Approach, said Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, the CAAT director-general.
The audit, conducted between Aug 27 and Sept 8, covered eight areas: primary aviation legislation and civil aviation regulations, civil aviation organisation, personnel licensing, aircraft operations, airworthiness, accident and incident investigation, air navigation services and aerodromes and ground aids, reports the Bangkok Post.
ACM Manat said preliminary results for areas directly under the CAAT’s responsibility, including legislation, organisation, operations, airworthiness, licensing, air navigation and aerodromes, achieved a score of 91.35%, well above the global average of 70.5%.
Thailand achieved a perfect 100% in two categories: aviation legislation and regulatory organisation.
ACM Manat said this reflects the country’s strong, modern legal framework and a robust aviation authority comparable to global aviation leaders.
The results represent a major improvement from 2015, when the ICAO identified 33 significant safety concerns, resulting in Thailand receiving a “red flag” and a score of only 33.53%.
Following reforms and the creation of the CAAT, that flag was lifted in 2017 and scores have steadily improved.
The latest results demonstrate not only recovery but a leap forward, establishing Thailand as a credible player in global aviation safety, ACM Manat said.
Final audit results are still pending, but he emphasised that the achievement reflects collaboration across the sector, including Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, Airports of Thailand Plc, the Department of Airports, the Civil Aviation Training Centre, airlines and other partners.
The outcome strengthens long-term confidence in Thailand’s aviation industry, which will support airlines’ growth and expansion, he added.