BANGKOK (AP) — Thai officials on Wednesday acknowledged weaknesses that caused the United States to downgrade the safety rating of the country's aviation industry.
The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday downgraded Thailand to a "category 2" rating, which means its civil aviation authority is deficient in one or more critical areas or that the country lacks laws and regulations needed to oversee airlines in line with international standards.
"Thailand does not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards," the FAA statement said. It audited Thailand's civil aviation authority in July as part of its role in ensuring airlines that fly to the United States meet international standards.
Thai airlines will not be allowed to establish new services to the U.S. under the new status.
Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said at a news conference Wednesday that the main concerns among the 33 raised by the FAA were inadequate manpower and training and insufficient ability to vet the licensing of pilots in a timely manner.
"We had limitations in training our people to become inspectors," Arkhom said. "We have 2,300 pilots and they have to renew their permits. We don't have enough people to inspect and grant the permits."
Thailand is one of the world's top tourist destinations, and its tourism industry accounts for about 7 percent of the country's economy.
Regulators in other countries are likely to be influenced by the FAA announcement, which could lead to measures against national flag carrier Thai Airways and other airlines.
Arkhom said Thai aviation authorities would focus on recertification of the 28 of Thailand's 41 airlines that operate international flights.
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