The Thailand arm of low cost carrier AirAsia is adding 70 pilots – almost half recruited directly from rivals THAI Airways International – to meet surging demand for flights.
Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld said 30 experienced captains will be added to flight rosters after resigning from Thai Airways International.
"Ex-pilots of THAI want to join Thai AirAsia not only because of the attractive returns, but also because they need more security and confidence for their future," he said.
Last week officials at THAI were forced to deny media reports over 200 pilots had left the company.
An additional 40 students will undergo flight training for Thai Air Asia at Bangkok Aviation Centre.
The carrier expects a total of 12.6 million passengers this year, rising to 15 million next year.
Thai AirAsia plans to increase frequencies on many routes and add international services from the Kingdom.
It is eyeing direct flights to China from Phuket or Chiang Mai, and expects the Chinese market to pick up again following the political crisis.
Chinese visitors are expected to come back in bigger numbers after Thai immigration officials announced the waiver of visa fees for mainland Chinese tourists.
