Thai Airways lays off hundreds of pilots
Thai Airways restructuring plan will lead to hundreds of job losses and a further reduction of its fleet size.
Hundreds of pilots will be laid off under its debt rehabilitation and it will ground Airbus A330-300, A380, and Boeing 747 jets.
The airline says 395 pilots will be laid off and it doesn’t plan on hiring any more for the next year.
That will take its pilot count down to less than 1,000.
As part of the rehabilitation, the airline is negotiating with lessors and suppliers to reduce payments.
In late 2020 the airline said it was auctioning off 34 used aircraft.
It also leased out some office space to bring in extra revenue.
Thai was recently granted a second and final extension to submit the complete restructuring plan which is now due to be presented to the Central Bankruptcy Court in Bangkok on 3 March.
It needs 50% of creditors’ approval before the Bankruptcy Court can ratify the final plan.
The airline which has been plagued by corruption over many years which has added to its debt pile, reportedly owes at least THB233 billion.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026