PUBLISHED : 14 May 2026 at 04:18
Pilots in Thailand have begun to feel the impact of reduced flights, as some low-cost carriers have announced a 20% cut in allowances and reduced productivity pay to cope with rising operational costs.
Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the Thai Pilots Association, said pilots working for Thai low-cost carriers have seen their flight hours reduced by 10% since last month, while Thai Airways cut flights on certain routes and dates, though this has yet to affect its pilots.
He said this month some low-cost carriers have begun cost-optimising measures, implementing a temporary reduction of certain allowances, including those related to duty travel requests, per diem allowance, instructor allowance, and follow flight allowance.
A low-cost carrier based at Don Mueang airport also reduced its productivity allowance by 30%, meaning pilots will earn less despite maintaining flight hours at certain levels, according to a source in the aviation industry.
Mr Teerawat said some airlines opted to split payroll payments into two instalments per month, as they remain highly cautious in managing operational costs during this difficult period.
However, no airline has introduced furloughs yet, unlike during the pandemic.
More than 1,000 licensed pilots are still awaiting jobs in the Thai market, according to the association.
All airlines in Thailand have reduced flights by 10-20% and increased fuel surcharges since April to cope with rising fuel prices caused by disruptions to the main transport route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, representatives from the Airlines Association of Thailand met with the transport minister, Airports of Thailand and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to discuss ongoing impacts from the Middle East crisis.
The association requested reducing, waiving or postponing increases in aviation fees and charges for six months; extending the credit term for fees incurred between April and September by six months; and cutting the excise tax on jet A-1 fuel from 4.726 baht to 0.20 baht per litre for six months, or extending the related credit term by the same period.
According to the International Air Transport Association’s Jet Fuel Price Monitor, the average price for the week ending May 8 was US$162.89 per barrel, down 10.1% from the previous week and 13.5% month-on-month, but still 80.9% higher year-on-year.
