Statement on suspension of Phuket Air’s flights to Amsterdam
by Captain Chawanit Chiamcharoenvut
Executive Vice President
As there have been media reports that the Netherlands Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has suspended Phuket Air’s traffic rights for Amsterdam, Phuket Air would like to take this opportunity to clarify the situation.
The Netherlands DCA cited two findings relating to this suspension during an inspection it conducted prior to a Phuket Air flight’s departure to Bangkok on 29 April 2005. The first finding concerned inoperable emergency floor lights. These lights were found to be in good working order when inspected by the Thai DCA before the flight left Bangkok and became unserviceable during the flight. They could have been easily fixed in Amsterdam before the aircraft departed for Bangkok.
The second finding relates to the medical certificate of one of the pilots. A highly experienced pilot and citizen of the Philippines, he held a medical certificate valid for one year issued in compliance with international aviation regulations by the Philippines Civil Aviation Authority. The Netherlands DCA stipulates that pilots must have medical certificates issued every six months. Therefore, the Netherlands DCA did not consider the pilot’s medical certificate to be valid.
Phuket Air is now working with the Thai DCA, Philippines Civil Aviation Authority and Netherlands DCA to confirm the validity of the pilot’s medical certificate and rectify the situation as soon as possible. We will advise all concerned parties once this process is concluded.
Phuket Air apologizes for any inconvenience caused to passengers. We are now actively working to transfer passengers to other airlines that serve Amsterdam. We will also provide refunds to those who cancel their Phuket Air flight. We have arranged for food and accommodations for the remaining passengers who are waiting for the next available flights.
Passengers who want more information about travel dates and times should contact Phuket Air’s Airport Office at telephone number 02 535-6708, 02 535 6696 from Monday to Saturday, 08.30 to 22.00 hrs.; and on Sunday from 08.30 to 20.00 hrs.
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