Four Thai carriers have been designated with the lowest star-ratings for aviation safety in an annual survey of the world’s biggest airlines.
AirlineRatings.com ranked 407 global airlines from one- to seven-stars, according to various factors determining safety. A seven-star rating is the best and safest rating while one-star is the worst. Qantas was named the world’s safest airline for the third year in a row.
148 carriers were awarded a seven-star rating but almost 50 were designated as just three stars or less.
In Thailand, Nok Air was awarded a two-star rating, while AirAsia Thailand, Bangkok Air and Orient Thai Airlines were deemed just three stars. Thai Airways squeaked ahead with four stars.
The ratings are determined by multiple indicators including crash and grounding records, whether the airline is certified by the International Air Transport Association, whether the airline is on an EU blacklist and whether the airline operates only Russian-manufactured planes, according to the Telegraph.