The ministry of Transport has stated that granting foreign pilots permission to operate flights in Thailand is a temporary measure aimed at addressing the increased flight demand that local airlines are currently unable to fulfill.
According to Krichanont Iyapunya, assistant to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, allowing more aircraft and flights has effectively reduced airfare prices. These wet-lease arrangements, as they’re termed in the industry, are provisional and set to expire on December 31, 2025.
Mr. Krichanont’s remarks followed a petition submitted by the Thai Pilots Association on Friday, which he accepted on behalf of Minister Suriya.
A wet lease is an agreement where one airline (the lessor) supplies an aircraft along with crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) to another airline or air broker (the lessee), which pays for hours operated. The lessee is responsible for covering fuel, airport fees, and various duties or taxes.
The surge in demand for air travel services post-Covid-19 has resulted in a shortage of aircraft in the local airlines’ fleets, leading to higher ticket prices, as noted by Mr. Krichanont.
He emphasized that the wet lease arrangement provides a quick solution, significantly lowering air travel costs and supporting Thailand’s tourism growth and its goal of becoming a regional aviation hub. The government, he added, continues to encourage airlines to invest in acquiring new aircraft despite relying on this temporary measure.
Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the Thai Pilots Association, acknowledged the challenges facing Thailand’s aviation industry. However, he raised concerns that approving wet lease arrangements could risk Thailand being red-flagged for violating the Chicago Convention established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Mr. Teerawat previously mentioned that while Thailand is not officially bound by Article 83bis of the Chicago Convention—which allows the state of registration to delegate supervisory responsibilities for an aircraft to the operator’s state—granting such permissions could still breach aviation laws and jeopardize the country’s standing.
In the most severe scenario, this could lead to a red flag, similar to what occurred in 2015 when Thailand failed an ICAO safety evaluation, preventing Thai carriers from expanding internationally.
ICAO regulations do not prohibit foreign pilots from operating on domestic routes; crew members from one country can operate between countries if they are registered elsewhere.
