10-8-2023 (BANGKOK) As the aviation industry in Thailand grapples with a slow recovery, airlines are turning to unconventional employment strategies, such as pay-to-fly schemes, to address the surplus of pilots and financial challenges posed by the pandemic. These schemes, which require licensed pilots to pay hefty training fees exceeding 1.5 million baht, have raised concerns about the financial strain on pilots and the overall quality of flight crew in the country.
The aviation sector’s rebound in the Asia-Pacific region has been uneven, with China’s resurgence pushing recovery expectations forward from 2025 to 2024, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). However, the situation remains precarious in Thailand, where airline fleets are below pre-pandemic levels, leading to reduced pilot salaries and limited job opportunities.
The concept of pay-to-fly, while not adopted universally, has gained traction among some Thai airlines. These carriers require aspiring pilots to finance their training before securing a job, ostensibly to align their skills with specific aircraft models used by the airline. Industry insiders stress that these expenses should be reframed as “training fees” rather than “pay-to-fly,” to reflect the evolving nature of pilot recruitment.
Thai AirAsia, for example, refrains from implementing pay-to-fly arrangements, offering free training to its employees. However, the adoption of such schemes by other airlines highlights the ongoing challenges facing the aviation sector. Airlines opting for pay-to-fly often charge trainee pilots the training cost by deducting it from their future salaries or arranging repayment through installments. In return, these pilots receive long-term contracts that ensure job security.
Damrong Phaspipatkul, head of flight operations at Thai AirAsia, noted that the current aviation landscape has prompted these unconventional employment approaches. He emphasized that the challenges differ for each airline, based on their route and flight recovery rates. The current environment makes it particularly challenging for newly licensed pilots, as airlines prioritize experienced pilots due to operational costs.
Thailand’s aviation sector is projected to experience a more robust recovery in the coming years, fostering an optimistic outlook for both pilot employment and salaries. The entry of new carriers, like AirAsia Cambodia, will likely absorb some of the surplus of pilots. With new aircraft entering operations, the demand for pilots will rise, providing opportunities for both experienced and novice pilots.
Despite the potential benefits, the pay-to-fly model has sparked concerns. A first officer (FO) at a Thai low-cost carrier, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the starting cost for pay-to-fly schemes is around 1.5 million baht. While this option guarantees employment, it may result in lower average incomes compared to pre-pandemic levels.
For student pilots or those with limited experience, securing a job without incurring training fees remains a challenge. Many may opt to work for international airlines that offer free training, contributing to a potential “brain drain” from the country’s aviation industry.
