Thai Carriers Pursue Rapid Fleet Expansion Amid Deep Pilot Shortage
Vietjet and Bangkok Airways accelerate hiring and aircraft orders as domestic recovery faces urgent capacity constraints
Thailand’s aviation sector is preparing for a dramatic increase in capacity over the next few years as companies ramp up fleet expansion and confront a looming pilot shortage.
Vietjet Thailand plans to grow its fleet from eighteen aircraft to fifty by 2028, and the carrier aims to recruit about three hundred and twenty pilots over the next four years to meet both domestic and international growth.
Many previously employed pilots were laid off during the COVID-19 period and remain inactive due to expired licenses, with only about half rejoining the workforce.
Bangkok Airways is also undertaking fleet renewal and expansion.
The airline has outlined plans to acquire up to thirty new narrow-body aircraft over the next four to five years through purchases and leases.
Despite earlier delays adding aircraft, the carrier remains committed to restoring its fleet to forty aircraft, matching pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, advance bookings for the high season have shown modest growth, especially for domestic tourism to destinations such as Koh Samui, while international travel to Cambodia has lagged.
The combination of growing demand, recovering international travel, and constraints on aircraft and pilot supply is pushing Thai airlines into a sensitive transition.
Authorities and industry stakeholders are also considering hiring foreign pilots under wet-lease arrangements to temporarily relieve pressure during peak periods.
The urgency is increased by external uncertainties — weak demand from Chinese tourists, regional political tensions (notably the Thailand-Cambodia border issue), and supply chain challenges for acquiring new aircraft.
Airlines are thus balancing bold expansion plans with cautious risk management in an environment where delays or shortages can significantly erode competitiveness.
Vietjet Thailand plans to grow its fleet from eighteen aircraft to fifty by 2028, and the carrier aims to recruit about three hundred and twenty pilots over the next four years to meet both domestic and international growth.
Many previously employed pilots were laid off during the COVID-19 period and remain inactive due to expired licenses, with only about half rejoining the workforce.
Bangkok Airways is also undertaking fleet renewal and expansion.
The airline has outlined plans to acquire up to thirty new narrow-body aircraft over the next four to five years through purchases and leases.
Despite earlier delays adding aircraft, the carrier remains committed to restoring its fleet to forty aircraft, matching pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, advance bookings for the high season have shown modest growth, especially for domestic tourism to destinations such as Koh Samui, while international travel to Cambodia has lagged.
The combination of growing demand, recovering international travel, and constraints on aircraft and pilot supply is pushing Thai airlines into a sensitive transition.
Authorities and industry stakeholders are also considering hiring foreign pilots under wet-lease arrangements to temporarily relieve pressure during peak periods.
The urgency is increased by external uncertainties — weak demand from Chinese tourists, regional political tensions (notably the Thailand-Cambodia border issue), and supply chain challenges for acquiring new aircraft.
Airlines are thus balancing bold expansion plans with cautious risk management in an environment where delays or shortages can significantly erode competitiveness.
