Legal basis and general provisions
International flights into, from or over the Kingdom of Thailand territory shall be subjected to the current Thai regulations relating to
civil aviation. These regulations correspond in all essentials to the Standards and Recommended Practices contained in Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Pursuant to Requirement No. 42 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and Section 41/126 of the Air Navigation Act, foreign air carriers conducting scheduled commercial air transport into or from the Kingdom of Thailand must meet the following qualifications:
Hold a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the civil aviation authority of a country with a Bilateral Air Services Agreement with Thailand.
Be designated as the user of air traffic rights under such Agreement.
Hold documents related to safety.
Be granted a Foreign Aircraft Operator Security Programme (FAOSP)
Obtain permission through the Foreign Air Operating Permission (FAOP) system.
For further details, please visit: https://portal.caat.or.th/FAOP/index.php
Operation Licensing Division (OL), E-mail: [email protected]
According to Notification of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand Re: Foreign Aircraft Operator Security Programme B.E.2566(2023), foreign air operator who plans to conducts a scheduled flight and non-scheduled flight (Programmed Charter or Inclusive Tour Charter) into or from the Kingdom of Thailand shall submit a Foreign Aircraft Operator Security Programme (FAOSP) and grant approval by
the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand before submitting the flight permission application via Flight Permit Online System (FPOS).
The approval process for the Foreign Aircraft Operator Security Programme (FAOSP) is an integral part of granting permission to foreign air operators for conducting commercial air transport, as outlined in Section 2.1.
A foreign air operator intending to conduct non-scheduled services, such as Charter Flights (Programmed Charter or Inclusive Tour Charter), are required to submit a set of documents to E-mail: [email protected] at least one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the expected start-up date of a flight into or from the Kingdom of Thailand and grant approval by the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand before submitting the request via the Flight Permit Online System (FPOS).The required documents are specified in the Notification of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand Re: Foreign Aircraft Operator Security Programme B.E.2566 (2023). Additionally, the Supplementary Station Procedure (SSP) in an editable format is provided via E-mail: [email protected].
For further information contact: website at https://www.caat.or.th/th/archives/75999Operator Security and Facilitation Oversight Division (OS), E-mail: [email protected]
Pursuant to the Air Navigation ACT B.E. 2497 Chapter 1/1, The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is responsible for the regulation and supervision of all aeronautical matters within Thailand, in particular with regard to the Foreign Air Operator according to sections 28, 41/122, 41/123 as mentioned in the relevant air services agreement and Thailand Civil Aviation Regulation - Air Operations Part Foreign Air Operators Requirements (TCAR OPS Part - FAO). The responsibility for the safety of an aircraft operator lies primarily with the state of the Operator. Foreign Air Operators shall ensure that any person authorized by CAAT will be permitted to board any of its aircraft that have landed within Thailand, at any time, with or without prior notice to:
Inspect the documents and manuals to be carried on board.
Carry out a ramp inspection.
The CAAT Requirements No. 22 ON “REPORTING OF CIVIL AVIATION OCCURRENCES” requires the Foreign Air Operator to report mandatory occurrence and send to CAAT via email [email protected].
For further information contact: Foreign Air Operators Division (FA), E-mail: [email protected]
For exemptions and approvals for the safe transport of dangerous goods by Air, air operator shall submit the application package and required document to Flight Operations Standards Department, Dangerous Goods Standards Division, The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
For further information contact: Dangerous Goods Standards Division (DG), E-mail: [email protected]
| Level of Airport (s) | IATA/ICAO Code | Full Name | Requirement | Via Email Address | Unit(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3 | BKK/VTBS | Bangkok/ Suvarnabhumi International Airport | Coordination | [email protected] | CAAT |
| DMK/VTBD | Bangkok/ Don Mueang International Airport | Coordination | [email protected] | CAAT | |
| HKT/VTSP | Phuket/ Phuket International Airport | Coordination | [email protected] | CAAT | |
| CNX/VTCC | Chiang Mai/ Chiang Mai International Airport | Coordination | [email protected] | CAAT | |
| USM/VTSM | Surat Thani/ Samui Airport | Coordination | [email protected] | CAAT | |
| L2 | KBV/VTSG | Krabi/Krabi Airport | Facilitation | [email protected] | DOA |
| HDY/VTSS | Songkhla / Hat Yai International Airport | Facilitation | [email protected] | AOT | |
| CEI/VTCT | Chiang Rai/ Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport | Facilitation | [email protected] | AOT | |
| UTP/VTBU | Rayong/ U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport | Facilitation | [email protected] | CAAT |
Emergency landing
Military flights
State flights
Definition
Scheduled international air services are regulated in a basic way by article 6 of the Chicago Convention. A scheduled international air service is a series of flights that possesses all the following characteristics:
it passes through the airspace over the territory of more than one State;
it is performed by aircraft for the transport of passengers, mail or cargo for remuneration, in such a manner that each flight is open to use by members of the public;
it is operated, so as to serve traffic between the same two or more points, either
according to a published timetable, or
with flights so regular or frequent that they constitute a recognizably systematic series.
General
Scheduled international air services may be a foreign air operator into or in transit across the Kingdom of Thailand in pursuance of:
The International Air Services Transit Agreement, provided that States in which the airline is registered is a contracting party to this agreement; or
Agreement between the Kingdom of Thailand and States in which the airline is registered.
Thai air operators holding an Air Operating License (AOL), who would like to apply for scheduled flight permission must meet the following qualifications and requirements:
Hold an Air Operating License for scheduled commercial air transport operations
Hold an Air Operator Certificate (AOC)
Hold a Route Allocation Approval for the route specified in the application
Applicants requesting approval for scheduled flight permission must obtain slots for level 2 and level 3 Airport (See Section 3)
Applicants must ensure that the following documents remain valid during the period of operations;
Air Operator Certificate (AOC)
Air Operating License for scheduled commercial air transport
Certificate of Airworthiness
Certificate of Registration
Certificate of Insurance
Other relevant supporting documents
Details for schedule flight permission application are as follows:
Name of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holder
Type of aircraft for scheduled flight operations
Aircraft nationality and registration marks
Flight number and schedule of the operations
Routing
Deadline for application
All air operators/authorized agents are to submit their applications for scheduled flights for each IATA schedule season at least thirty (30) days before the start of the season for approval by CAAT via FPOS.
Revision of flight scheduled
In case of any revision for permitted flight scheduled, the air operators/authorized agents must submit a revision application for those flights to the Flight Permit Division no less than seven (7) business days before the start of the season.
In case of changing the flight date and time:
If the new timing is more than twenty-four (24) hours earlier or later than the originally approved flight schedule,
the air operators/authorized agents must submit a revision application for approval at least two (2) business days
in advance, unless there are urgent or emergency situations. Additionally, for flights operating at Level 2 and
Level 3 Airport, the new timing must be facilitated/allocated before submitting the application.
If the new timing is less than twenty-four (24) hours earlier or later than the originally approved flight schedule, without changes to other details, the air operators/authorized agents may use the existing flight permission. However, for flights operating at Level 2 and Level 3 Airport, the new timing must be facilitated/allocated from
Slot Facilitators/Slot Coordinator.
The revision for any change, such as flight number, route or schedule change more than period of seven (7) consecutive days or four (4) consecutive weeks, the air operators/authorized agents must submit a revision application for approval at least two (2) business days prior the day of operation, unless there are urgent or emergency situations. Additionally, for flights operating at Level 2 and Level 3 Airport, the new timing must be facilitated/allocated before submitting the application.
Urgent and emergency situations mentioned in 2 and 3 refer to unforeseen circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions, security concerns, political situations, medical emergencies, or any circumstances that may impact the safety of the aircraft and passengers. This also includes strikes or actions taken by employees or personnel of other relevant entities, or any occurrences that affect the air operator's aircraft operations.
Additional flights and cancellation of flights
For additional scheduled flights and cancellation of flights, the air operators/authorized agents must submit an application for approval at least three (3) business days prior to the day of operation.
Resume flight
For resuming cancelled scheduled flights in order to align with increased traffic demand or any necessary reason, the
air operators/authorized agents must submit an application for approval at least three (3) business days prior to the day of operation.
Any foreign air operators/authorized agents who would like to apply for scheduled flight permission must meet the following qualifications:
Being designated as the air carrier by the government of the state of registry for scheduled air services between the state of registry and the Kingdom of Thailand.
Holding Foreign Air Operator Permission (FAOP) to engage in scheduled commercial air transport to and from the Kingdom of Thailand. (See Section 2.1)
Applicants requesting approval for scheduled flight permission must obtain slots for level 2 and level 3 Airport. (See
Section 3)
Applicants must ensure that the following documents remain valid during the period of operations:
Air Operator Certificate (AOC)
Operators Specifications relevant for the aircraft or aircraft type and containing operational information such as capability for low visibility operations
Certificate of registration
Certificate of airworthiness and airworthiness review certificate (if applicable)
Certificate of insurance (by aircraft or by fleet)
Noise certificate
Maintenance release of the most recent major maintenance (equivalent to “c” check certificate of release) (if applicable)
State of registry’s approved aging aircraft programme (if applicable) which may be part of the maintenance programme
Lease arrangements, if applicable
Details for schedule flight permission application are as follows:
Name of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holder.
List of fleets with details of the capacity of the aircraft to be used for the operations.
Flight schedule of the operations.
Flight number
Flight schedule
Flight route for operations to/from the Kingdom of Thailand, specifying the airport names of origin and destination with their Location Indicators (ICAO Code) assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Details of codeshare operation and codeshare agreement.
Deadline for application
Same requirements as Section 4.2.1 Article v.
Revision of flight scheduled
Same requirements as Section 4.2.1 Article vi.
Additional flights and cancellation of flights
Same requirements as Section 4.2.1 Article vii.
Resume flight
Same requirements as Section 4.2.1 Article viii.
| Required by | General Declaration | Passenger Manifest | Cargo Manifest | Stores List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Departure | ||||
| Airport Authority | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Customs | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Immigration | 2 | 3 | - | - |
| Health Authority | - | - | - | - |
| Animal Quarantine | - | - | 1 | - |
| Total | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Required by | General Declaration | Passenger Manifest | Cargo Manifest | Stores List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Arrival | ||||
| Airport Authority | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Customs | 1 | 1 | 2 | - |
| Immigration | 2 | 3 | - | - |
| Health Authority | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Plant Quarantine | - | - | 1 | - |
| Animal Quarantine | - | - | 1 | - |
| Total | 5 | 6 | 5 | - |
Definition
A non-scheduled air service is a commercial air transport service performed as other than a scheduled air service.
General
Applicants requesting approval for non-scheduled flight permission must obtain slots for Level 2 and Level 3 Airport. (See Section 3)
Subject to the observance of the terms of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, application must be made and prior approval obtained from The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand for all aircraft of the Contracting States of the Convention on International Civil Aviation desiring to carry out non-scheduled fight into, in transit non-stop across Thailand, or to make stops for non-traffic purpose in Thailand.
Documents required for application
Same requirement as Section 4.2.2 Article iii. Documents 1 – 5.
Deadline for application
The application must be submitted to the Flight Permit Division at least three (3) business days in advance of the intended flight date via FPOS. (See Section 1.6).
Details for flight permission application are as follows:
Name of operator
Owner, type, nationality and registration mark of the aircraft
Name, billing address and contact of applicants
Purpose of flight
Routing, including aerodromes before/after the Kingdom of Thailand
Names of aerodromes to land in the Kingdom of Thailand
Dates and times of its arrival and departure at each aerodrome
In case of carrying dangerous goods (See Section 2.4)
Revision of Flight Schedule
Same requirements as Section 4.2.1 Article vi.
Aircraft of Contracting States of the Convention on International Civil Aviation intending to conduct a non-scheduled flight into
and/or out of the Kingdom of Thailand for the commercial purpose of embark/disembark passengers, cargo and mail, must apply for permission
to The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
Documents required for application
Same requirement as Section 4.2.2 Article iii.
Note: For foreign air operators who would like to conduct a non-scheduled Programmed Charter or Inclusive Tour Charter, FAOSP approval are required. (See Section 2.2)
Deadline for application
The application must be submitted to the Flight Permit Division at least three (3) business days in advance of the intended
flight date via FPOS (See Section 1.6).
Details for flight permission application are as follows:
Name of operator
Type, nationality and registration mark of the aircraft
Name, billing address and contact of applicants
Purpose of flight
Routing, name of aerodrome including aerodromes before/after the Kingdom of Thailand
Dates and times of its arrival and departure at each aerodrome
Number and list of passengers, categories of passengers (i.e. Inclusive Tour Group, Affinity Group or Own Use
Charter etc.) including points of embarkation or disembarkation of passengers
Name of charterer and agent including address to contact in the Kingdom of Thailand
Description and quantity of freight, consignor, consignee, including points of loading and unloading of freight
Revision of Flight Schedule
Same requirements as Section 4.2.1 Article vi.
Note: Passenger Charter Flight
A. Own Use Charter Flight
The entire capacity of the aircraft hired by the charterer (individual, firm, legitimate club or associations) for transportation either for employees of the charterer or for persons affiliated with the charterer other than employees (e.g. the hiring by
a sports club for transportation of a football team to a match).
The charterer of the aircraft solely shall decide the destination of the aircraft as well as all arrangement connected with
the journey.
The charterer shall defray all expenses incidental to the flight, no payment, either direct or indirect, to be made by
the participant of the flight to the charterer.
In case of Own Use Charter, passengers depart from Thailand must be the same as passengers that the operators carry to Thailand.
B. Inclusive Tour Charter Flight
Air operators are required to obtain FAOSP approval prior to applying for flight permission application through FPOS.
(See section 2.2)
The entire capacity of the aircraft shall be hired by one or several persons in charge of inclusive Tour Charter Flight and
shall be reserved for the sole use of the participants of a travel program which has been fixed in advance. If the trip is to
be regarded as an inclusive tour, the following conditions must be complied with:
The duration of the tour shall not be less than one week.
The travel arrangement shall comprise transportation, hotel accommodation and meal (i.e. at least breakfast and one principal meal) as well as excursions, if such can be arranged, including home transportation.
Each group of passengers to be transported shall consist of not less than 15 persons,all from the same Inclusive Tour Charter Agencyand with the same travel arrangement. The same aircraft may carry several of these groups.
There shall be a travel agency courier at the disposal of the group at the point of destination.
The participation group members shall make full payment, no refund of payment in case of part of the arrangement not being utilized, for the entire travel arrangement.
Any charter flights operated by foreign carriers transporting passengers between any points in Thailand is prohibited.
Passengers travel to Thailand with all type of charter flights are able to depart by either that same charter operator or scheduled fights.
The operator may carry passengers to Thailand and then ferry out, after that operate ferry in and then carry the same passengers back.
Transportation of revenue passengers who do not participate in Inclusive Tour Group or selling one-way ticket, is not permitted.
The flight may not be performed with aircraft not owned by the contracting charter company, unless permission has been obtained from The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
It is the duty of the charter company concerned to control the participants of the respective groups to be transported together on the outward and return flight.
C. Affinity Group Charter Flight
Affinity Group Charter Flight, one chartered for the exclusive use of a group (or groups) consisting of members of an association
or club having principal aims and objectives other than travel and sufficient affinity prior to the application for charter transportation to distinguish it and set it apart from the general public.
D. Programmed Charter
Programmed charter means a flight for transporting or travelling provided on period of time and having a regular program subject to a contract or an agreement made with the tourism business operators. Operators need to apply for FAOSP and get approval before submitting a flight permission application through FPOS. (See Section 2.2)
Aircraft of Contracting States of the Convention on International Civil Aviation intending to conduct a non-scheduled
(non-commercial) flight into and/or out of the Kingdom of Thailand for the purpose of embark/disembark passengers, cargo and mail, must apply for permission to The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
Documents required for application
Same requirement as Section 4.2.2 Article iii. Documents 1 – 5.
Deadline for application
The application must be submitted to the Flight Permit Division at least three (3) business days in advance of the intended flight date via FPOS (See Section 1.6).
Details for flight permission application are as follows:
Name of operator
Owner, type, nationality and registration mark of the aircraft
Name, billing address and contact of applicants
Purpose of flight
Routing, name of aerodrome including aerodromes before/after the Kingdom of Thailand
Dates and times of its arrival and departure at each aerodrome
Number of passengers (if any)
Revision of Flight Schedule
Same requirements as Section 4.2.1 Article vi.