THAI’s Pilots Abandon Silky Wings for “Low Cost Airlines”
THAI is in a tight spot as its pilots are marching out to seek a higher paid salary from other airlines.
The source reported that on November 13, 2018, there was a statement from Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) stating that its pilots had been continually resigning from their position, claiming that the wage was too low, and that they want to seek for a higher salary from other airlines.
There are approximately 50 pilots who resigned in 2018, leaving the current number of pilot at 1,200, while more aims to resign in the upcoming year to seek for an alternative option that yields higher rate from different airlines, especially low-cost airlines that constantly launch new routes and purchase new planes.
The statement claims that the incident started in 2010, and a total of 400 pilots had resigned since then. The highest turnover rate was during 2016-2017 with a total of 130 resigned pilots, claiming unfair compensation and overtime (OT) rate. Which caused pilots to resign even before their contract expired and they willingly accepted that the airline would sue them for approximately ฿5-6 million per person. While some of the pilots choose to compromise, and negotiated to pay the debt with the airline.
Mr. Sumeth Damrongchaitham, the president and director of THAI, has acknowledged the issue and come to a solution with a nominated pilot to renew the structure of THAI’s compensation and OT at fairer rates.
The plan has been sent to related departments to consider regarding laws of state enterprise. The plan is expected to take action on January 1, 2019, and should be able to decrease the turnover rate of THAI’s pilots.