Latest news with #CAAT
Bangkok Post
2 hours ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Passenger service hike 'worth extra B3bn' to AoT
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) expects a decision on an increase in the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) by October, saying a major adjustment could boost Airports of Thailand's (AoT) revenue by three billion baht annually. CAAT director ACM Manat Chawanaprayoon said the CAAT and the AoT are currently studying the PSC for outbound travellers, with the aim of a major adjustment. The move comes after years of unchanged PSC rates that no longer reflect actual airport operating costs -- posing a barrier to airport development and leaving charges significantly lower than regional hubs like Singapore's Changi Airport, which collects an equivalent of 1,400–1,500 per passenger, compared to AoT's current rate of 730 baht for international departures. ACM Manat said if AoT aspires to become a regional aviation hub, PSC rates must be revised to a level that aligns with realistic revenue expectations and investment needs for infrastructure development. Although it remains unclear whether the adjustment will see the proposed 100-baht rise. Both CAAT and AoT are expected to complete their joint study by October. Once the study is finalised, AoT will formally submit its proposal to the CAAT for review. The CAAT will then invite the AoT to present the findings, including the necessity and investment plans, before determining an appropriate adjustment and forwarding the proposal to the Civil Aviation Board (CAB) for final approval. In the interim, CAAT plans to propose a five-baht-per-person PSC increase to the CAB. The rate has already been evaluated by CAAT but is pending CAB approval, which is currently delayed due to an incomplete quorum following a member's resignation. The transport minister, who chairs the board, is expected to submit a new nominee to the cabinet shortly, enabling the board to convene and deliberate. Regarding the AoT's plan to introduce charges for transit (passengers continuing on the same flight after a layover) and transfer (passengers switching flights or aircraft after a layover) passengers -- which are currently exempt -- the CAAT confirmed its readiness to consider such a proposal. The AoT must submit detailed documentation and comparative data with similar-tier international airports to support the case. Acting AoT president Paweena Jariyathitipong said the AoT and CAAT are now aligned in principle that the PSC must cover the actual costs of providing airport services, a case the AoT has advocated for the past 5–6 years. While PSC calculations vary globally, all follow International Civil Aviation Organization standards. AoT is now assessing which model best suits Thailand, considering local operational variations. Despite differences in management costs and passenger volumes among its six airports, AoT plans to apply a uniform PSC rate across all its facilities for consistency in revenue and expense management. If the five-baht increase is approved, AoT stands to gain an additional THB 200–300 million annually. However, an increase of up to 100 baht could boost AoT's annual revenue by about three billion baht.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Gaza war: Is the UK selling arms to Israel?
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has condemned Israel's conduct in Gaza and said that Britain could "do more in the coming weeks" if the Israeli government does not change how it is pursuing the war in the expressed anger that the "international community has not been able to bring this war to an end" and said he was "sickened" by the killings of Palestinians at aid centres by Israeli forces in recent Israel began its military campaign in Gaza after the 7 October attacks, significant public attention has focused on the issue of assistance provided by the UK. Much of the weaponry used in Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) strikes on the strip has been built or sold by Western information around the extent of the UK's military support to Israel often remains unclear or classified, and some MPs have called for a public inquiry into the extent of the assistance. Does the UK supply Israel with arms? The UK is not one of Israel's main suppliers of arms. The US is by far the biggest seller - helping Israel develop one of the world's most advanced militaries - followed by Germany and 2015, the UK has approved arms export licences to Israel worth over £500m ($676.4m) - peaking in 2018, according to Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) pressure much of the attention around the UK's support for Israel has focussed on parts made in Britain for the F-35 jet. A state-of-the-art multi-role fighter, it has been used extensively by Israel to strike UK supplies between 13-15% of the components used in the jet, including ejector seats, rear fuselage, active interceptor systems, targeting lasers and weapon release the Labour Party came to power last year, it suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licences, affecting equipment such as parts for fighter jets, helicopters and drones. Any UK company that wants to sell arms abroad must apply for a licence, and the government said at the time that there was a "clear risk" the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international crucially, parts for the F-35 were not included in the export ban. The government said it could not prevent Israel obtaining these components as they are sent to manufacturing centres abroad as part of a global programme - not directly to Israel. Professor Anna Stavrianakis, an expert in UK Arms Export, described the government's decision to allow for this exemption as "an enormous loophole"."UK-made parts for the F-35 mostly go to the USA, where they are incorporated into jets bound for Israel," she told BBC Verify, noting that because the White House "does not want to stop supporting Israel", the UK export bans were quite limited in their UK also co-developed the Hermes drone, which has been widely used in Gaza. While the UK version of the aircraft, called the Watchkeeper 450, is unarmed, the Israeli-made Hermes drone can be armed with Spike missiles and was reportedly used in the attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers last is hard to say what the UK is still exporting to Israel under the active licences. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said last year that the ban was not a "blanket ban or an arms embargo" and said it remained essential that Israel could defend itself from to the Department of Business and Trade, 161 of the extant licences relate to military products.A UK Parliament report said that the remaining licences could include "items such as trainer aircraft and naval equipment, and dual-use items for civilian use in telecoms and data equipment". Has the UK shared intelligence with Israel? The extent to which the UK has shared intelligence with Israel since the 7 October attacks is unclear. The government has a long-standing "defence partnership with Israel" which defence officials say includes "education, joint training and capability development".The Royal Air Force (RAF) has flown hundreds of surveillance flights over Gaza since December 2023, reportedly using Shadow R1 spy planes based at an RAF base in Akrotiri in nearby an interview on Monday, Lammy insisted that the RAF flights over Gaza have not led to the sharing of any military intelligence with the IDF."It would be quite wrong for the British government to assist in the prosecution of this war in Gaza," the foreign secretary said. "We are not doing that." In 2023 the UK acknowledged that some of its "unarmed" drones circling over the strip were aiding in the search for Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the 7 October attacks. There are 50 people still held by Hamas, with 20 believed to be Forces Minister Luke Pollard reaffirmed that stance in April 2025, telling MPs that UK drone flights over Gaza were being conducted with the "sole purpose of locating hostages".The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has refused to comment on whether Israeli aircraft have access to the RAF's base in Cyprus. But BBC Verify also identified Israeli Air Force planes in UK airspace over the past year after reports in the independent outlet DropSite. Several Re'em refuelling planes appeared on specialised flight tracking sites over RAF bases at Brize Norton and MoD spokesperson told BBC Verify: "It is standard practice to routinely authorise requests for limited numbers of allies and partners to access the UK's air bases.""We cannot comment on or provide information relating to foreign nations' military aircraft movements or operations," the spokesperson added. Are Israeli troops training in the UK? The UK often runs training courses for the militaries of allied nations, many of which focus on leadership, logistics and cyber-operations. For example, thousands of Ukrainian troops have come to Britain since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 for basic Coaker - a minister of state at the UK MoD - said in April that "fewer than 10" IDF personnel have been trained on non-combat military academic courses in the UK every year since declined to say exactly how many IDF troops had taken part in courses over that time, or what classes they had taken "in order to protect personal information". But ministers have insisted that the courses emphasise the importance of complying with international humanitarian Forces Minister Luke Pollard confirmed in June that "a limited number of Israel Defense Forces personnel" were taking part in UK-based training courses, but declined to offer further details. Has the UK sanctioned Israel for its actions in Gaza? The UK's approach to holding Israel accountable for its campaign in Gaza changed after the general election in 2024. The new Labour government dropped the government's opposition to arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).Since then, it has become more vocal in its criticism of Israeli leaders, and joined 27 other nations this week in condemning the "inhumane killing of civilians" seeking food and water in the Labour government suspended talks to upgrade its free trade agreement with Israel in May, with Lammy calling the Israeli treatment of Palestinians "an affront to the values of the British people".But while the government has sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers for "inciting violence" in the occupied West Bank, it has yet to impose any sanctions on Israel directly for its actions in Gaza, which have killed at least 59,029 people according to the Hamas-run health ministry. What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
The Star
20-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand warns storm Wipha may delay flights, passengers entitled to refunds
BANGKOK: Storm Wipha is likely to cause flight delays and heavy rain across Thailand, and as such, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has advised passengers of refund rights under aviation rules. CAAT has issued a travel advisory for passengers flying from Thailand to destinations affected by tropical storm Wipha, which is currently moving through the northern South China Sea. The storm has triggered heavy rainfall in Hong Kong, Macau, and Shenzhen from Saturday (July 19) onwards, causing flight delays and cancellations. According to CAAT, passengers impacted by the storm have the right to request a full refund or reschedule their flights under CAAT Notification No. 101. However, compensation does not apply in this case, as the disruption is considered a force majeure event. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates before travelling. Further information on passenger rights is available on the CAAT website. Meanwhile, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its second advisory at 5am on July 20, warning that Wipha, currently a strong tropical storm, is heading towards northern Vietnam and is expected to weaken into a tropical depression between July 21–22. Despite weakening, Wipha is expected to bring widespread heavy to very heavy rain across Thailand from July 20–24, particularly in the North, upper Northeast, western Central region, East, and the Andaman coast. The storm is likely to cause flash floods and runoffs, especially between July 22–24, in high-risk provinces such as Nan, Phayao, and Chiang Rai. Residents are urged to stay alert, prepare for possible evacuation, and monitor weather updates closely. Marine warnings are also in effect as the southwest monsoon strengthens under the storm's influence. Waves in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand could reach 2–4 metres, with higher swells during thunderstorms. Small boats are strongly advised to remain ashore. The public can follow the latest forecasts and warnings at or call the 24-hour hotline at 1182. - The Nation/ANN
Business Wire
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
VISIE Executes First Pin-Free Knee Bone Cuts Using Spatial Computing
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VISIE Inc., the spatial computing company delivering the intelligence layer for surgical navigation and robotics, today announced a major technical milestone: the successful execution of all total knee arthroplasty (TKA) bone resections on cadaveric tissue, without the use of pins, clamps, arrays, or manual registration (Warning: Graphic details. See here for a video of the cadaver cuts.) 'VISIE doesn't just improve surgical navigation, it rewrites the rules." Dr. Brian Blackwood, Orthopedic Surgeon and Clinical Advisor. Unlike traditional navigation for robotic systems, VISIE's proprietary scanning platform is completely non-invasive. It sees what a surgeon sees without bone-pinned trackers, clamps, or time-consuming registration steps that disrupt a surgeon's workflow and increase the risk of fractures, infection and post-op pain. This latest breakthrough marks the first demonstration of complete knee bone cuts powered solely by VISIE's platform - an upgrade that integrates seamlessly with existing surgical navigation and robotic systems. 'VISIE doesn't just improve surgical navigation, it rewrites the rules,' said Dr. Brian Blackwood, Orthopedic Surgeon and Clinical Advisor. 'This spatial platform delivers the precision that we surgeons need, without pins, clamps, arrays, or compromise. It frees surgical navigation and robotics from the physical hardware we've long accepted as necessary and ushers in a new era of anatomic intelligence in the OR.' Elevating, Not Replacing: A Universal Enabler This milestone follows VISIE's award-winning appearance at the 2025 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) meeting, where it took top honors at OrthoPitch for its Continuous Anatomic Auto Tracking (CAAT™) system. CAAT delivers dynamic, real-time anatomical tracking, potentially including cartilage visualization and bone stock assessment—without invasive markers or registration steps. Challenge Met. Milestone Delivered. After strong interest and even some skepticism from industry stakeholders, VISIE's team turned its focus on delivering a proof of concept and successfully achieved this technical milestone in record time. 'Everyone was asking if we could track while cutting bone - so we built it and proved it,' said Douglas Fairbanks, VISIE CEO. 'This isn't just about a saw, it's about redefining what's possible when vision replaces hardware like pins, clamps, and arrays.' Since AAOS, the VISIE team has successfully: Designed and built a custom robot with a saw-equipped end-effector Executed all five standard femoral cuts—anterior, posterior, anterior chamfer, posterior chamfer, and distal—plus the tibial cut Performed all resections on cadaveric tissue tracked entirely through VISIE's spatial computing system—no pins, clamps, arrays, or registration steps Roadmap to Clinical Impact With this milestone complete, VISIE is extending its pinless tracking technology to additional procedures. Early feasibility work is already underway in spine and cranial surgery, supporting VISIE's vision of delivering the optical intelligence layer for the entire surgical ecosystem. As surgical systems grow more complex, VISIE simplifies and amplifies—providing universal compatibility, less friction, and more capability. About VISIE VISIE Inc. is a 3D computer vision and spatial computing company enabling real-time, pinless tracking for orthopedic, neuro, cranial, and spine surgery. With a robust global IP portfolio and multiple innovation awards, VISIE enables surgical systems to see what the surgeon sees—in real time. VISIE: Making the unseen seen—and the impossible routine. For more information, follow us on:
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
New flight delay and cancellation law takes effect in Thailand
BANGKOK: Thailand's new regulations protecting passengers' rights in cases of flight delays or cancellations came into effect on Tuesday (May 20). The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has announced new passenger protection regulations under Civil Aviation Board Notification No 101, which are designed to enhance the rights of passengers on both domestic and international scheduled flights. Under the new regulations, airlines must provide support and compensation for international flight delays or cancellations without prior notice, especially when passengers have already arrived at the airport. For delays over two hours >Airlines must offer complimentary food and beverages or coupons appropriate to the time of day and length of the delay. >Airlines must provide free communication tools, such as access to phone calls or email. For delays over five hours In addition to the above, airlines must: >Compensate passengers with 1,500 baht in cash, or an equivalent in credit shells, travel vouchers, frequent flyer miles, or other forms of equal value, within 14 days of the incident. >Provide accommodation and transfers if an overnight stay is required. >Offer passengers the option to cancel their journey and receive a full refund, or alternative forms of compensation such as travel credit or vouchers. For delays over 10 hours >Airlines are required to provide the same support as for delays exceeding two and five hours, including complimentary meals and beverages, communication facilities, accommodation and transfers (if necessary), as well as the option to cancel the journey and receive a full refund or alternative compensation. However, cash compensation or compensation in alternative forms, to be paid within 14 days from the date of the incident, will be increased based on flight distance as follows: >2,000 baht for flights not exceeding 1,500km >3,500 baht for flights between 1,500 and 3,500km >4,500 baht for flights over 3,500km In case of international flight cancellations or denied boarding Passengers are entitled to the same level of compensation as for delays exceeding 10 hours, unless the airline notifies passengers at least seven days in advance, or gives notice within seven days but offers an alternative flight departing within three hours of the original time, or if the cancellation is due to unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances despite the airline having taken appropriate measures. Updated compensation for domestic flights For domestic flight issues, compensation has also increased: >Delays over five hours: from 600 baht to 1,200 baht >Cancellations: from 1,200 baht to 1,500 baht Airlines may also offer credit shells, travel vouchers, or mileage points instead of cash, provided they are of equal or greater value. These do not apply in force majeure or unavoidable situations. Tarmac delay protections For delays where passengers are kept on the aircraft while it's still on the ground (tarmac delays), airlines must: >Provide adequate ventilation, temperature control, access to lavatories and urgent medical care if needed. >Allow passengers to disembark if the delay exceeds three hours without a confirmed take-off time, unless doing so poses a safety or air traffic control risk. The CAAT emphasises that Notification No 101 marks a significant step in raising passenger protection standards in Thailand's aviation industry. The authority will work closely with airlines and the public to ensure awareness and compliance for the benefit of all travellers. - The Nation/ANN
