Thailand: Foreign pilots concern association

The Thai Pilots Association is raising the alarm over liberalising pilot jobs for foreigners flying domestic routes through wet lease arrangements, claiming it risks another red flag from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Last month, the Department of Employment talked with the association, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, and an airline that asked former premier Srettha Thavisin for this liberalisation, which would give foreign pilots temporary permission to fly domestic routes. The permission would be given only to foreign pilots linked to ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) leasing, widely known as wet leasing, that includes all four segments from the supplier airline. Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the Thai Pilots Association, said according to the Labour Ministry, which sets the list of prohibited jobs for non-Thais, foreign pilots are unable to fly domestic flights. The department discussed this issue with related stakeholders and agreed to liberalise this rule on a temporary basis to mitigate the impact of a supply shortage during the upcoming high season for six months.<br/>