US FAA Reinstates Thailand’s IASA Category 1 Safety Rating

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has restored Thailand’s Category 1 International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) rating, enabling Thai airlines to operate flights to the United States and enter into unrestricted codeshare agreements with US carriers. The FAA announced the reinstatement on April 23, 2025, following a comprehensive review of Thailand’s aviation safety oversight.

Thailand’s aviation sector underwent an FAA evaluation in late 2024, with a final meeting between the FAA and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) held in March 2025. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit welcomed the decision, calling it a positive development for Thailand’s aviation industry.

Currently, there are no direct flights between Thailand and the United States. However, United Airlines plans to launch a fifth-freedom service between Hong Kong International and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi starting October 26, 2025. Thai Airways International last operated US flights in 2015, ending services between Bangkok and Los Angeles via Seoul due to financial losses and shortly before the FAA’s downgrade to Category 2. A Thai Airways spokesperson confirmed the airline has no immediate plans to resume US routes.

Thailand was downgraded to Category 2 in 2015 after the FAA identified 36 safety and technical deficiencies, including a lack of qualified flight inspectors. Since then, CAAT has implemented significant improvements in aviation safety standards across the country’s airlines and airports, leading to the recent upgrade. The reinstatement positions Thai carriers for potential expansion into the US market and strengthens global confidence in Thailand’s aviation oversight.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com