Boeing helps Nok Air solve pilot problems
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Thailand’s Nok Air has formed a new partnership with Boeing aimed at alleviating the low-cost carrier’s pilot crunch.
The Bangkok-based airline has formed a new flight training programme with Boeing, catering for its growing need for fully-trained and qualified captains. Nok is currently having to ground approximately 60 flights per day due to a pilot shortage.
“Boeing’s high quality flight training programme will continue to help us grow our flight crew,” said Nok’s CEO, Patee Sarasin. “Our passengers deserve to be flown by the best pilots in the world and we are working diligently to see that our quality is excellent as our operations continue to expand.”
The training programmes will be conducted by Boeing Flight Services, which provides flight, maintenance and cabin safety training through a network of campuses on six continents. According to Boeing forecasts, 226,000 new commercial airline pilots will be needed in the Asia Pacific region in the next 20 years.
“There is a growing demand for well-trained pilots in Thailand, and we look forward to working with Nok Air as they continue to expand their operations in the busy Asia Pacific region,” said Steve Taylor, chief pilot at Boeing Flight Services.
The training agreement coincided with the delivery of a brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Nok during a ceremony in Seattle.
Nok Air has been suffering from a pilot shortage since Thailand’s aviation authorities tightened the rules governing pilot employment, in an effort to comply with international standards. This followed the downgrading of Thailand’s FAA status last year and an unsatisfactory audit from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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