More planes could be detouring by way of Thailand’s airspace because of Russia closing its skies to airways from “hostile” nations, after an overwhelming majority of countries condemned its invasion of Ukraine at the UN General Assembly final month.
The nation’s Ministry of Transportation has called for the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, or Aerothai, to attract up a contingency plan, in preparation for a potential increase in air traffic by way of Thai airspace, because the international flights of some airways are being forced to take lengthy detours to avoid flying over Russian territory.
The ministry issued the order after the International Civil Aviation Organisation, or ICAO, mentioned the state of affairs with the nation’s PM on April 5. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob mentioned he requested Aerothai to evaluate airline route data and the quantity of air visitors passing over Thailand in order to design a relevant contingency plan, the Bangkok Post reported. Thailand is the ICAO’s Asia Pacific base.
Some airways might need to refuel in Thailand before persevering with on to their destinations, so the company will need to take each airport’s ground-handling capability into consideration. As a result of the detours, flight instances on East to West routes might require an extra three hours, in accordance with Saksayam, who mentioned he has he’s instructed state companies to arrange the necessary info “in case we need to work with the ICAO on the airspace issue”.
Meanwhile, Thailand will not allow Russian commercial airlines, with both passengers or cargo, to fly to Thailand throughout this time, the ministry stated. Special exceptions may be given for on humanitarian reasons — i.e. evacuating stranded Russians.
“The government remains neutral because we’re not a celebration within the conflict… There’s no wavering toward the left or proper. We have to observe the stance of the United Nations.”
Last month, Thailand was among the 141 nations that voted in favour of a decision that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The vote occurred on the 11th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly. However, Thailand more recently joined fifty seven different international locations — including Malaysia, Indonesia and India — in abstaining from a vote to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.
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