Bangkok: The Ministry of Transport is taking steps to address the crisis involving over 1,700 unemployed pilots in Thailand. Mr. Phatarapong Phatprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, recently chaired a meeting with the Thai Pilots Association (THAIPA) to discuss the current employment challenges faced by Thai pilots, as well as issues related to pay-to-fly schemes. Mr. Theerawat Angkasakulkiat, President of the Thai Pilots Association, along with representatives from relevant agencies, participated in the meeting at the Ministry of Transport.
According to Thai News Agency, the aviation industry has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to 1,736 unemployed Thai pilots and 1,219 Commercial Pilot License (CPL) holders awaiting employment. This situation reflects an unutilized investment exceeding 4.3 billion baht in pilot education. Key factors contributing to this crisis include an oversupply of pilots, the hiring of foreign pilots, loopholes in labor protection laws, and the rise of the "Pay to Fly" model, where applicants incur substantial costs for job opportunities, affecting fairness within the profession.
During the meeting, the Thai Pilots Association put forth both short-term and long-term proposals. These include establishing clear regulations for the Pay-to-Fly system, enhancing employment and welfare standards, enforcing laws regarding the employment of Thai pilots, creating complaint channels and protecting whistleblowers, and developing a system to align pilot production with the industry's needs. The aim is to tackle structural problems, ensure fair employment opportunities, and foster sustainable development in the aviation sector.
Mr. Phatarapong emphasized that the Ministry of Transport is committed to developing aviation personnel while upholding safety standards. The ministry is open to considering proposals from all sectors to formulate measures that promote fairness in the pilot profession, reduce employment inequalities, and boost the long-term competitiveness of Thailand's aviation industry.