Thai Pilots Association Opposes Foreign Pilots on Domestic Routes, Cites Risk of ICAO Red Flag

The Thai Pilots Association is voicing concerns over a proposal to liberalize pilot jobs for foreigners on domestic routes in Thailand through wet lease agreements. This move, aimed at addressing pilot shortages during peak travel seasons, could potentially lead to a red flag from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), mirroring the repercussions faced by Thailand in 2015.

Last month, discussions were held between the Department of Employment, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, and an airline, which requested the former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to permit foreign pilots to operate domestic flights temporarily. This permission would apply exclusively to ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) leasing arrangements, also known as wet leasing.

Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, the president of the Thai Pilots Association, argued that such a policy could violate aviation laws due to Thailand not adhering to Article 83bis of the Chicago Convention, which concerns the transfer of supervisory responsibilities between states. He warned that this could jeopardize the country’s aviation safety rating and restrict Thai carriers’ international expansion as happened previously.

The association also highlighted the negative economic impact, noting that employing foreign pilots through expensive wet lease contracts would not reduce operational costs for airlines nor lead to lower ticket prices for passengers. Furthermore, this approach overlooks the 1,736 Thai pilots currently unemployed, whose potential earnings could significantly contribute to the national economy.

Teerawat urged the new government to reconsider the implications of this policy change, emphasizing the need to protect local jobs and maintain national aviation standards.

Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=Thai+Pilots

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, bangkokpost.com