Thai pilots organise against foreigners in cockpits

The Thai Pilots Association strongly opposes a government proposal to temporarily ease restrictions on foreign pilots flying with Thai carriers. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday that one major obstacle for the tourism sector has been the slow resumption in flights. A post-pandemic personnel shortage has been one of the reasons cited by airlines worldwide. The government has already asked airlines to increase flights and expand their fleets to help spur the recovery of tourism, he said during a visit to the Thai offices of Agoda, the world’s largest travel booking platform. Some airlines would like the government to consider allowing foreign pilots to fly Thai aircraft, as the job is currently reserved for Thais. “We will discuss this issue with the Ministry of Labour to seek a possible solution, including lifting this restriction on a temporary basis,” Srettha said. Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the pilots’ group, said the association disagrees with the idea of allowing foreign pilots to work for Thai carriers. During the pandemic, airlines scaled down their operations, forcing them to furlough a number of Thai pilots and freeze employment of fresh graduates, he said.<br/>