As part of a clamp down on errant operators, the Thai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has banned Kan Air (KND, Chiang Mai) from plying eight domestic routes after investigations showed they were being operated on a scheduled, as opposed to a chartered, basis.

Among the routes affected are its Utapao hub where it served Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Bangkok Don Mueang; and its Chiang Mai hub where it served Chiang Rai, Mae Sot and Nakhon Ratchasima.

According to the Bangkok Post, the DCA's investigation showed that instead of selling tickets for the aforementioned flights on a wholesale basis as required for charter operations, Kan Air was selling the flights with fixed timetables using retail distribution channels such as websites and over-the-counter.

As a result of the moratorium, Kan Air is left with only eight scheduled routes seven of which are from its Chinag Mai base - Mae Hong Son, Pai, Nan Nakhon, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Phitsanulok and Hua Hin - while the other is from Bangkok Don Mueang to Mae Sot.

Thailand is attempting to clean up its local aviation sector after the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) formally instated a Serious Safety Concern (SSC) against the country last month.

During a Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) inspection in January, the DCA is reported to have satisfied just 21 out the 100 criteria with problem areas said to include personnel licensing and training, airworthiness assessment and certification, airline operations oversight and the granting of Air Operator Certificates (AOC) to airlines.