Financially stricken airlines face curb on new routes

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) may stop allocating additional routes to eight airlines including Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) if they cannot provide convincing business rehabilitation plans, according to an official source.

As a result, these airlines might have to begin limiting sales in advance to protect the rights of passengers, said the official at the Ministry of Transport.

THAI is among eight airlines classified by the Civil Aviation Commission (CAC) as being in critical condition, according to an official 2019 annual industry financial report, which was discussed by the CAC at its meeting on Thursday (March 11). The report covered only commercial airlines registered in Thailand.

Other seven carriers are: Thai Smile Airways, Nok Air, AirAsia X, VietJet Air, Thai Lion Air, Asia Atlantic Airlines and City Airways.

Transport Minister…