On 15 October 2010, at 1600 hrs, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the new Air Services Agreements between Thailand and Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, respectively, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Four Parties on the Co-operation between the Scandinavian Countries regarding Scandinavian Airlines System and on the Designation of Airlines, together with Mr. Michael Sternberg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ms. Katja Nordgaard, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, and Mr. Lennart Linner, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden. The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
These new Agreements, signed between Thailand and Denmark, Norway, and Sweden respectively, supersede the previous Air Services Agreements signed in 1949. The updated agreements appropriately respond to the nature and challenges of the current global aviation market and trends and take into account European Union rules and regulations that have developed since the original agreements were signed.
Under the updated agreements, the airlines of Thailand and the three Scandinavian countries are allowed to operate with unlimited capacities and frequencies, both for the transport of passengers and cargoes, and to transit at any points. In addition, aviation safety will be improved in accordance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Articles on fair competition are also included to ensure equal opportunities among the airlines of the parties — a benefit of which would fall directly upon the consumers.
As for the MOU, the parties agree to allow the 3 airlines under the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), namely SAS Denmark A/S, SAS Norge AS and SAS Sverige AB to operate services with aircrafts, crews and equipments belonging to any of the 3 companies. Thai Airways International is designated by the Thai side to operate aviation services in accordance with the Agreements. At present, there are altogether 28 direct flights per week between Thailand and Scandinavian countries. Thai Airways International operates 7 direct flights weekly for each of the 3 routes, namely Bangkok - Copenhagen, Bangkok - Oslo and Bangkok — Stockholm. SAS operates 7 flights weekly between Copenhagen and Bangkok.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th