“Flight cancellations will continue until the end of this month. The cancellations are caused by the uncertain flying hours of pilots since Feb 14 where Nok Air has now tried its best to make them comply with regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand [CAAT]. The problem has nothing to do with insufficient pilots,” he said. He said Nok Air now has 192 pilots. In March, an additional 20-30 new pilots will start work with the airline which will be adequate for the number of aircraft and flights.
As for an inquiry into the remaining seven pilots after a recent strike, Mr Patee said two more had been dismissed with compensation payments.
Pilots’ sudden absence on Feb 14 affected 17 Nok Air flights and about 3,000 travellers.
Nok Air claimed the Feb 14 work stoppage resulted from the dissatisfaction of some pilots who failed a new aviation management audit based on standards set by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the International Air Transport Association.
Following the incident, one pilot was earlier fired, two suspended and inquiries launched against seven others.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said 15 inspectors from the CAAT have also been monitoring the flying hours of Nok Air pilots.