Allowing foreign pilots on domestic routes could limit Thai carriers’ international operations: association

By Minh Hieu September 16, 2024 | 05:47 am PT

A proposal to let foreign pilots fly domestic routes may result in Thailand receiving a red flag from the International Civil Aviation Organization. Illustration photo by Pexels

Thailand could get red-flagged by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which would limit Thai carriers’ international operations, if it allows foreign pilots to fly domestic routes, an industry association warned.

A proposal to temporarily allow foreign pilots under aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) leasing arrangements—commonly known as wet leasing—to operate domestic flights has recently emerged after a discussion last month between the Thai Pilots Association, the Department of Employment, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, and an airline seeking the temporary permission, as reported by Thai newspaper The Nation.

Although the Ministry of Labor’s current regulations prohibit this practice, the employment department is considering a temporary easing of that restriction, according to Thai news website Thaiger.

However, Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, the association’s president, pointed out that this puts Thailand at risk of another red flag from the ICAO.

Thailand previously received a red flag from the ICAO in 2015, which limited Thai carriers' international operations before it was lifted in 2017, according to the Flight Safety Foundation.

Thailand is not allowed to employ foreign pilots under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, which outlines regulations for the transfer of supervisory responsibilities between states, the Bangkok Post quoted Teeraway as saying.

Teerawat explained that the proposal may not benefit the country, stimulate tourism or reduce passenger airfares as wet lease contracts are relatively expensive for airlines.

Another concern raised by the association is the potential loss of opportunities for domestic pilots, including over 2,000 fresh graduates and 1,736 unemployed pilots who were laid off during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Teerawat noted that these pilots earn could contribute 6 billion baht (US$180.9 million) to the Thai economy if employed.

Hence, the association urges the government to thoroughly review the proposal once it is submitted by the employment department.

It also seeks to tackle other issues, including the challenges that local pilots face in acquiring flying licenses.