Thailand’s aviation industry is witnessing growth in pay-to-fly employment models after the struggle to regain its pre-Covid footing. In these arrangements, licensed pilots are required to pay more than 1.5 million baht (US$ 42,702) for training, a prerequisite to securing a job.
This is happening against a backdrop of pilot salaries remaining below pre-pandemic levels due to a decrease in the size of airline fleets. The situation is particularly challenging for student pilots, who, lacking requisite experience, find it difficult to compete with seasoned professionals.
As per the International Air Transport Association, recovery for Asia-Pacific aviation trailed the rest of the globe last year. However, with the reopening of China in the early weeks of 2023, it’s anticipated that recovery will be brought forward from 2025 to…
