US urged to launch direct Thai flights

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to encourage US airlines to undertake the first-ever direct flights to Thailand, as Thai carriers seem unlikely to add the routes, following regulators reopening the flights from next year. According to the Transport Ministry, the US FAA gave a favourable evaluation of Thailand's aviation safety standards following its inspection, and is expected to upgrade the status of the country from Category 2 to Category 1, enabling airlines to expand operations to the US. Thai Airways halted direct flights from Bangkok to Los Angeles in 2015, the same year the country was downgraded by the FAA, because the route was unprofitable. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT's deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said Thai Airways would be a priority airline to bring long-haul visitors to the country. However, the airline remains in the rehabilitation process and must utilise its aircraft on the most profitable routes amid a global aircraft shortage.<br/>