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Foreign pilots approved to fly domestic Thai networks
September 26th 2024
The Labour Ministry of Thailand will allow foreign pilots to crew domestic routes in Thailand via wet leases, but only temporarily. Read More » Future requests from airlines will be considered on a case-by-case basis, the Bangkok Post reports. In August, Thai Vietjet, the Department of Employment, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the Thai Pilots Association discussed the issue after Thai Vietjet urged former prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, to temporarily grant permission for foreign pilots to fly domestic routes via wet leases. Thai Vietjet plans to lease two aircraft from a foreign company for six months under a wet lease agreement that includes pilots, cabin crew, maintenance and insurance in a single package. According to the ministry, flying domestic routes is typically reserved for Thai pilots, while flying international routes is allowed for foreign pilots. “In reality, Thailand does not have a shortage of pilots. This is the lessor's condition that leases should include their pilots. The ministry is preparing to allow permission on a temporary basis for this airline,” Thailand’s labor minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, said.
