Thailand's Supreme Administrative Court has rejected the Thai Pilots Association's (TPA) request for interim relief to suspend an earlier authorisation allowing foreign pilots to operate domestic flights under temporary wet-lease arrangements, the Bangkok Post reported.
TPA president Teerawat Angkasakulkiat said the court found that suspending existing permits would disrupt flight operations and affect passengers and cargo services. The interim petition sought to halt the Ministry of Labour's announcement allowing airlines to wet-lease aircraft with foreign crew for up to six months.
Thirty-eight foreign pilots and co-pilots received temporary work permits under the measure, which was introduced by the previous government to expand flight operations. The Ministry of Transport subsequently approved corresponding wet-lease operations.
While the injunction was denied, Teerawat said the association's main case to revoke the authorisation entirely remains pending. The ruling, he added, could serve as a reference for future labour ministers if new applications arise.
He noted that Thai pilot unemployment remains high amid aircraft delivery delays, particularly from Boeing. Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) is said to be hiring student pilots for its incoming A321-200NX fleet but is unlikely to absorb most jobless pilots.
The case stems from the use by Thai VietJetAir (VZ, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) of two A320-200s from Avion Express (X9, Vilnius) on domestic routes during the 2024/25 winter season, following a cabinet-approved waiver citing a shortage of local pilots. The TPA disputes that rationale, insisting qualified Thai pilots remain available.
ch-aviation has reached out to the Thai Pilots Association and the Ministry of Labour for comment.
