NOK Hits an Air Pocket

Nok Airlines Public Company Limited (NOK) has had three capital increases, but still cannot cheer too loud as the shareholder ratio is still facing a deficit of THB 1,500 million. The problem is now in the hands of NOK’s major shareholder, Churangkul Group.

 

NOK proposed two business plans to solve the problem; 1) Route expansion to increase its revenue and a long-term profit ratio, and 2) Airlines adjustment to increase flights and cost reduction for a better operation and profit.

However, the plan seems to go in a different direction of the reality as recently, NOK has been reducing and cancelling quite a few flights. The recent incident was the temporary route cancellation including BKK-Roi Et, BKK-Nan, and BKK-Nakhon Phanom during May-October, 2019.

 

NOK’s executives asserted that the temporary cancellation was a time-table adjustment as it was a low season for these routes while shifting aircrafts to fly on the route with higher potential.

Which is in line with NOK’s strategy to lower cost and increase revenue. But with the current assets and cash equivalent of THB 1,500 million, is it enough for business operation?

 

Chula Sukmanop, Director of The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, admits that he is keeping an eye on NOK’s operation as there was a report of the company having financial difficulty as of late. Which is why the situation has to be monitored to see if it will get worse and affect the aviation safety or not. Though, the situation has not reached that level as of now.

 

More importantly, NOK is facing a strong turbulence, which is why it may be a bit bumpy when the plan hits an air pocket.

As for the share price, let’s see if it will fall lower than 2 baht or not. If that happens, the price may slide even further.