The Thai authorities will allow foreign pilots to fly domestic routes using wet-leased aircraft, according to the Bangkok Post. The policy shift, which still requires a final tick off, is a response to requirements from lessors that their pilots operate the aircraft, per the terms of a regular wet-lease agreement.
Reportedly, Thai VietJetAir (VZ, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi), the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labour, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), and the Thai Pilots Association met to discuss the issue after the low-cost carrier requested permission to use foreign pilots on aircraft it plans to wet lease.
"The ministry is still awaiting a final meeting with the airline to conclude the discussion," Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told the newspaper.
According to ch-aviation fleets data, Thai VietJetAir operates twelve A320-200s and six A321-200s. None are wet leased. However, Ratchakitprakarn said the airline wants to wet-lease two aircraft to operate on domestic routes over the upcoming high season. The carrier currently flies to 30 airports in seven countries, including nine domestic airports from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and three domestic airports from Phuket. A spokesperson for Thai VietJetAir was unable to provide details on the upcoming wet leases, only saying arrangements for them were underway.
"This is the lessor's condition that leases should include their pilots," the minister said. "The ministry is preparing to allow permission on a temporary basis for this airline."
He says future requests to use foreign pilots would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Foreign pilots are already allowed to fly international sectors in and out of Thailand.
The president of the Thai Pilots Association raised concerns that allowing Thai VietJetAir to use foreign pilots on domestic routes could open the way for it to become common practice, eroding job opportunities for local pilots. The CAAT deputy director-general said wet-leased aircraft remained a relative rarity in Thailand.
