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December 31, 1969
Source: Bangkok Post
Original Article: http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/12Apr2005_news07.php AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
The Aviation Department yesterday inspected all aircraft of Phuket Air and threatened to ground the airline following repeated problems
which have delayed flights.
Department chief Chaisak Angkusuwan said officials started checking Phuket Air's planes after talks between Deputy
Transport Minister Phumtham Vejjayachai, the department and airline representatives.
The meeting came after a day-long delay of its flight 9R619
with about 400 passengers from Bangkok to Amsterdam due to problems with the hydraulics system.
The flight was scheduled to leave Bangkok at 11pm
on Saturday but the problem with its 747-300 aircraft forced a 24-hour postponement. The flight left Don Muang international airport Sunday night.
The deputy minister said all Phuket Air planes must pass international safety standards.
Mr Chaisak said the department would consider grounding
the airline if officials were not satisfied with the results of an inspection of all its planes.
Chawanit Chiamcharoenvut, executive
vice-president of Phuket Air, said the airline did its best to help passengers stranded at the airport last weekend by providing them with overnight
accommodation and changing tickets for those who wanted to defer their schedule.
Saturday's incident was the second on Phuket Air within a week.
On April 2, its 9R618 flight from Bangkok to London suffered fuel spillage from the aircraft's wing while refuelling at Sharjah airport in the United Arab
Emirates, forcing passengers to remain overnight in the Gulf state. But Phuket Air denied news reports that there were sparks.
Phuket Air launched
its service in 2001, and has nine 747-300 aircraft. Mr Chaisak said only two of were operational. The rest were either undergoing routine checks, test-runs
or were out of order.
The airline also has a Boeing 737 and a Boeing 757, plus two YS-11 planes. It flies domestic and international routes.
Mr Phumtham said had told representatives of all Thai airlines, including those offering low-cost service, to ensure the safety of
passengers. |
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