Bangkok: FAA upgrades Thai Airways’ standard ranking to CAT1, opening up convenient direct flights from Bangkok to the United States, attracting more tourists to Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that the Cabinet acknowledged the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to upgrade Thailand’s ranking from Category 2 (CAT2) to Category 1 (CAT1). This move follows the FAA’s inspection of Thailand’s air transport safety standards, which have been amended to align with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Thailand’s aviation sector faced challenges when the FAA downgraded the country from Category 1 to Category 2 on December 1, 2015, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) red-flagged it. After addressing the deficiencies over several years, the FAA conducted an assessment in 2024, marking a nine-year effort to regain the CAT1 status. With this upgrade, Thai airlines can now operate direct flights to the United States, which is expected to significantly boost Thailand’s air transport industry. Additionally, Thai airline pilots now have the opportunity to apply for positions with U.S. or other international airlines, further enhancing the country’s aviation capabilities and attracting more tourists to Thailand.