A group of seven Thai airlines are seeking a combined 5 billion baht ($152.16 million) in low-interest loans from the Thai government to help weather the effects of the coronavirus crisis, the Thai Airlines Association said on Wednesday.
The seven airlines had initially requested $770 million in soft loans, but had not received government support.
“We have reduced the request from last year and the 5 billion baht will only cover employment and doesn’t include leases, jet fuel and other expenses,” Thai Airlines Association president Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth told reporters.
The latest request was around a fifth of the amount the group had previously sought. Thai government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said all pandemic relief proposals from any business in Thailand would be considered and assessed for viability.
Travel and tourism has collapsed in Thailand due to the…
