The Supreme Administrative Court has dismissed a petition from the Thai Pilots Association seeking an interim order to suspend the Ministry of Labour’s decision allowing foreign pilots to operate domestic flights under a wet-lease arrangement.
Although the request for temporary relief was denied, the association is continuing with its main case, which aims to revoke the ministry’s special announcement permitting such operations.
Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the Thai Pilots Association, said the court ruled that suspending the existing permission would obstruct authorised personnel from operating flights on approved domestic routes.
This, he explained, could disrupt flight schedules, affect air operators handling both passengers and cargo, and cause inconvenience to travellers and shippers.
Under the Ministry of Labour’s special approval, the Ministry of Transport has already allowed private operators to temporarily lease aircraft along with crew for periods not exceeding six months from the commencement of service.
A total of 38 pilots and co-pilots were granted special work permits under this scheme, in line with the previous government’s policy to expand Thailand’s flight operations.
Teerawat said the association’s main petition to revoke the special permission remains active, as the court has completed the inquiry process.
While there have been no new airline requests to use wet-lease arrangements for domestic flights during the current high season, he noted that the ruling is significant as it could serve as a precedent for future labour ministers if similar requests arise.
Despite the tourism high season, the number of unemployed Thai pilots remains steady, largely due to delays in aircraft deliveries, particularly from Boeing, he said.
Thai Airways International, which plans to deploy 15 Airbus A321neo aircraft, has begun recruiting student pilots to support its expanding fleet, requiring at least 200 new pilots for the operation.
However, Teerawat added that this recruitment effort is unlikely to substantially ease unemployment, as airlines shifting to new aircraft types typically favour experienced pilots over trainees.
As a Thai Airways pilot himself, Teerawat expressed support for the airline’s plan to acquire 10 Airbus A330-200 jets to strengthen its hub-and-spoke model, which depends on both wide-body and single-aisle aircraft such as the A321neo.
He urged the Thai Airways board to approve the acquisition, noting that the matter is still under review at the board level.
