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Thai Carrier Finds An Ally In AirAsia X
26th Apr 2015
Thai AirAsia X may be in troubled waters due to flight restrictions imposed by Japan however, it finds an ally in AirAsia X (Malaysia) which is poised to help an affiliate circumvent it
About a month ago, the UN International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) reported major air safety issues involving Thailand's air carriers. Soon after, Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau started to impose restrictions on the country's air carriers, specifically banning new flights on areas beyond the agreed destinations. The ban also disallows air carriers to use new types of aircraft, and can only employ those types already in use prior to the restriction.
This has limited Thai AirAsia X's regular flights from Bangkok to Sapporo, Japan.
In pursuit of a temporary remedy, management has decided to allow Thai AirAsia X to use AirAsia X's A330-300 jets. Using these jets along with AirAsia X's cockpit, crew, and airline code will enable Thai AirAsia X to conduct flights from Bangkok to Sapporo without technically violating the restrictions set by Japan.
Representatives of Thai AirAsia X said that the airline was given the go signal to push through with these rescue flights.
Despite the good news, Japanese aviation authorities remain watchful over Thailand's air aviation standards, including government's plan of action to resolve the issues.
Meanwhile, airline experts observed that Japan's decision to allow such rescue flights courtesy of AirAsia X was a good indication. Nevertheless, it could not be denied that countries other than Japan may also grow wary of Thai air carriers and their capabilities.
Japanese aviation authorities were the first to have imposed such bans right after the ICAO report and the adjustment of Thai airlines status down to Category 2. Subsequently, aviation officials from China and South Korea made a similar move imposing restrictions on the country's airlines.
Meanwhile, the sale of flight tickets to Sapporo with schedules beyond June 2015 has been withheld by Thai AirAsia X management. This has negatively affected sales volume although reportedly, the airline recorded a load factor of around 80 per cent for the month of May.
Those who have initially bought Thai AirAsia X tickets to Sapporo with flight schedules commencing June 1 and onwards are to be given a special arrangement. Management will allow rebooking to earlier flight schedules falling within the month of May 2015 but this will depend on seat availability. This rebooking is free of charge.
Additionally, those who wish to change destinations (from Sapporo to Tokyo or Osaka) may also request for an adjustment.
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