Nok Air postpones again as chief admits pilots have quit (Updated)

Nok Air has put off for another 10 days its planned resumption of normal operations. At least 17 Nok Air pilots have quit the company, a fact previously denied by its chief executive.

Please join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning

Afternoon update

Here is an update from Amornrat Mahitthirook:

Nok Air postpones resumption of normal operations

Turbulence continued for Nok Air on Friday as the airline put off for another 10 days its planned resumption of normal operations following this month’s pilot strike and massive flight cancellations.

Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said today that Nok Air now says its normal flight schedule will resume March 10, instead of March 1 as announced earlier.

Nok will charter 20 flights to be operated by Thai Airways International, THAI Smile, Thai Lion Air and Nok Scoot during the period, he added.

The minister said he had received a report from Mr Patee admitting the resignations of the pilots and 15 new ones would be recruited. Mr Arkhom did not specify the number of pilots to leave Nok Air.

On  his Twitter account, Mr Patee promised a stronger airline after it resumes normal operations and denied that the no-frills airline was in financial trouble.

This is what you called a "Growing pain" will be back better for our team, our company, and share holders. And of course for our customers.

Morning story

17 pilots quit in 'normal' exodus

Amornrat Mahitthirook

At least 17 Nok Air pilots have quit the company, a day after the airline's top executive dismissed as false an earlier report about pilots quitting in response to recent flight cancellations.

On Tuesday he had insisted no pilots had left the firm.

A source at Nok Air said that, as of Tuesday, as many as 17 pilots tendered their resignations which will take effect next Tuesday. The company has a total of 192 pilots.

According to the source, more resignations are expected following the Feb 14 strike.

Nok Air chief executive Patee Sarasin admitted Wednesday that a number of pilots had resigned but refused to specify the number. He downplayed the effect of the pilots quitting, saying other airlines also see people come and go. He said Nok Air's turnover was being linked to the Feb 14 pilot strike.

"I see it as being normal if other pilots in the same group quit after three pilots were sacked," he said.

Following the Feb 14 work stoppage that affected 17 Nok Air flights and about 3,000 travellers, Nok Air dismissed three pilots.

Key reasons behind the strike included problems ranging from pilot shortages to disagreements over structural changes to the airline.

Mr Patee reassured that Nok Air is addressing structural problems and will resume normal operations next Tuesday.

He said the company was recruiting some 30 new pilots.

Meanwhile, Chula Sukmanop, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said Nok Air announced the cancellation of four flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai today and Nok Scoot will cater to the affected passengers.

The cancellations follow the suspension of some scheduled domestic flights including round-trip flights to Trang, Surat Thani and Khon Kaen, suspended through to Monday.

Mr Chula went on to discuss a recommendation by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to prohibit lithium-ion batteries, widely used in laptops and smartphones, as cargo on passenger aircraft, saying the measure is unlikely to affect passengers.

He said the recommendation does not cover lithium-ion batteries in carry-on luggage and only pertains to batteries shipped as cargo on passenger aircraft.

The recommendation becomes effective on April 1.

สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/876440/nok-chief-admits-pilots-have-quit-normal-he-says