Bangkok: Thai airlines have been granted the green light to resume direct flights to the United States for the first time in nearly ten years. Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has upgraded Thailand’s aviation standards from Category 2 (CAT2) to Category 1 (CAT1). This marks a significant milestone for the Thai aviation industry, which has been working towards this upgrade since its downgrade in 2015.

According to Thai News Agency, the upgrade to CAT1 will significantly benefit Thai airlines, allowing them to expand flight routes to the United States and other countries that prioritize FAA assessments, such as South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong. The enhanced aviation standards will offer more travel options, competitive pricing, and convenient travel for passengers. The change is expected to open up more employment opportunities for Thai pilots, who will now be eligible for jobs with international airlines, potentially increasing their income and developing their skills on an international level.

Mr. Suriya emphasized that meeting international aviation standards will boost foreign tourists’ confidence in traveling to Thailand, potentially increasing tourism revenue and creating more jobs in aviation, tourism, and related sectors. The return to CAT 1 is seen as a testament to Thailand’s aviation safety standards, enhancing the country’s image in international trade, economic negotiations, and foreign investment.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) implemented a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to address deficiencies identified by the FAA during assessments since November 2024. By March 2025, CAAT successfully rectified all 36 deficiencies, resulting in a “Zero Open Finding” status from the FAA, which finalized the upgrade to CAT1.