THAI Responds to Alleged Dismissal of 400 Pilots

[snoop1130]

THAI Responds to Alleged Dismissal of 400 Pilots

 

 

BANGKOK, Feb 8 (TNA) – Thai Airways International (THAI) denied the report that it decided to lay off 400 pilots.

 

The Corporate and Image Communication Department of the airline dismissed the report that THAI would cut its pilots from 1,300 to 905 and procure about 9-10 Boeing 787 aircraft and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines worth tens of billions of baht for post-COVID-19 operations.

 

The department said that restructuring and fleet management plans were parts of the rehabilitation plan of the airline and the airline’s workforce was being reconsidered.

 

Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-633339

 

-- © Copyright TNA 2021-02-08

 

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[ThailandRyan]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

tens of billions of baht for post-COVID-19 operations.

 

The department said that restructuring and fleet management plans were parts of the rehabilitation plan of the airline and the airline’s workforce was being reconsidered.

So spending tens of Billions of baht is restructuring and getting out of debt?  Really, where the hell is the money coming from.  400 laid of pilots do not equate to Billions of baht.....what a bunch of <deleted> they are.

[colinneil]

So Thai airways think that spending billions on 10 new planes is going to solve their problems, crazy or what.

They have planes parked up that they cannot sell, so lets buy more, unbloody believable.

[geisha]

The bankruptcy court must have been “ influenced “.

[bdenner]

Thai International are bankrupt! Laying off aircrew I can understand BUT the BS buying new aircraft = Who the <deleted> is going to finance it.

Looks like the administrators have the same IQ as TAT.

[PatOngo]

17 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

tens of billions of baht for post-COVID-19 operations.

Kaching kaching oink oink! Replenish the trough!  That's a lot of swill!

[PatOngo]

19 hours ago, bdenner said:

Who the <deleted> is going to finance it.

Who cares! Who benefits from it? 

[trainman34014]

19 hours ago, bdenner said:

Thai International are bankrupt! Laying off aircrew I can understand BUT the BS buying new aircraft = Who the <deleted> is going to finance it.

Looks like the administrators have the same IQ as TAT.

They also have the same Piggy Bank; it's called 'The Tax Payer' !

[Rancid]

Nothing wrong with restructuring to improve a business, however it usually also entails a change in corporate culture and new professional management. Changing a few planes and laying off pilots will change nothing if its still up to its bad old habits and being used as a means to embezzle money.

[vogie]

One of their pilots that was laid off has turned his hand to painting and decorating, we got him to paint the inside of our house and I must say he did a wonderfull job of the landing.

Edited February 8, 2021 by vogie

[herfiehandbag]

19 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

So spending tens of Billions of baht is restructuring and getting out of debt?  Really, where the hell is the money coming from.  400 laid of pilots do not equate to Billions of baht.....what a bunch of <deleted> they are.

 

19 hours ago, colinneil said:

So Thai airways think that spending billions on 10 new planes is going to solve their problems, crazy or what.

They have planes parked up that they cannot sell, so lets buy more, unbloody believable.

Gentlemen, it is manifestly obvious that you have very little knowledge of how such aviation business is conducted in the kingdom.  Firstly, the procurement of 10 new aircraft and their engines (I must confess that I was not aware that they came separately - perhaps the investment could be spread by buying the aircraft first and the engines later - it is not as if they are going to be flying anywhere for some time) will be funded by borrowing from the government - as they are no longer the majority shareholders it will be a "commercial decision" with conventional formal and informal aspects to the disbursement of funds. 

 

Secondly such a process will result in a significant stimulus to the business of a variety of associated undertakings, ranging from specialist stationery suppliers to Mercedes Benz dealerships. At these times of economic sluggishness such a stimulus will be welcome.

 

Thirdly, any aircrew redundancies are the sad but inevitable result of the redundees limitations as donut chefs! These are hard times, and there are tough decisions to be made.

[trainman34014]

Thai Pilot in Wifes family was laid off with half pay many months ago.   Had a Porche, Wife a Mercedes, large Houses in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and a Hoiday Home in Italy.  The two Thai Houses both with Mortgages which he now can't afford to pay, Porche and Merc' gone, House in Italy gone and House in The North for sale but nobody's buying.   He works part time as a Taxi Driver and at other times as a Grab Rider.  Wife is still having 2k Baht Hairdo's and laying on the Sofa painting her nails.    My advice to him was kick her Butt out and tell her to get a job !

[new2here]

I do think the acquisition of new aircraft isn’t all that bad of an idea.

 

In the short term it’s going to drive down their line maintenance costs markedly 

 

For example, I recall their 772’s are ready for fleet removal and that will help as that fleet type is now around the 14 year mark with some of their oldest 772 being acquired in late ‘06

 

Overall their net fleet age isn’t too bad, but that’s largely driven by their A388’s and 787’s... so... to me, if they replaced their older 772s that would help tremendously with not only line maintenance costs, but also boot network reliability... and of course have a huge impact on driving down CASM (Cost per Available Seat Mile).

 

So... while i agree the optics of adding fleet now seems perhaps odd or unwise, i also recognize that given the overall interest rate environment is at very very low levels, this actually might be a good time to borrow for fleet renewal projects....: and by moving to a more fuel efficient fleet should help drive down operational costs on a post-restructuring basis.

 

Edited February 9, 2021 by new2here

[Fex Bluse]

The reality is that they have no business plan that does not rely heavily on foreign tourism. They will stall as long as they can delaying their foreign creditors until mass tourism is revived. 

 

Expect their foreign creditors to be trying to get money from THAI for a decade or longer. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

They are already THB400 billion in debt, what's another hundred between friends?

[Mr Meeseeks]

49 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

The reality is that they have no business plan that does not rely heavily on foreign tourism. They will stall as long as they can delaying their foreign creditors until mass tourism is revived. 

 

Expect their foreign creditors to be trying to get money from THAI for a decade or longer. 

Indeed and just watch as TG routes are decided upon where the creditors are located and which country will be willing to seize their planes rather than profitability.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Who cares! Who benefits from it? 

A few directors and influential backroom faces.

[theoldgit]

14 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

I must confess that I was not aware that they came separately - perhaps the investment could be spread by buying the aircraft first and the engines later

 

I didn't realise that either, at least until I read an article in the UK media over the weekend regarding the woes of the Rolls Royce aircraft engine division, and how many staff they are laying off.
The article mentioned that the engines are actually leased to airlines on a by use basis, with so many aircraft not operatings, along with their engines, Rolls Royce are no longer receiving an income for the use of their engines.
I'm sure this is an oversimplifiction of the process, but it's certainly a difficult time for the whole industry. 

[Pilotman]

14 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

 

Gentlemen, it is manifestly obvious that you have very little knowledge of how such aviation business is conducted in the kingdom.  Firstly, the procurement of 10 new aircraft and their engines (I must confess that I was not aware that they came separately - perhaps the investment could be spread by buying the aircraft first and the engines later - it is not as if they are going to be flying anywhere for some time) will be funded by borrowing from the government - as they are no longer the majority shareholders it will be a "commercial decision" with conventional formal and informal aspects to the disbursement of funds. 

 

Secondly such a process will result in a significant stimulus to the business of a variety of associated undertakings, ranging from specialist stationery suppliers to Mercedes Benz dealerships. At these times of economic sluggishness such a stimulus will be welcome.

 

Thirdly, any aircrew redundancies are the sad but inevitable result of the redundees limitations as donut chefs! These are hard times, and there are tough decisions to be made.

I doubt that they will buy, in all probability they will try to lease, as they do with the engines, that are paid 'power by the hour'.  Thai must be the only international airline that has not already laid off pilots, cabin and ground staff.  They should and must do that. The interesting issue is if they don't pay off their existing debts, neither Boeing nor Airbus will lease them new aircraft and the independent aircraft  leasing companies will add a massive premium to their costs if they have a bad credit rating.  

[gunderhill]

18 hours ago, geisha said:

“ influenced “.

"effluenced" may be  more  apt.

[Patong2021]

18 hours ago, colinneil said:

So Thai airways think that spending billions on 10 new planes is going to solve their problems, crazy or what.

They have planes parked up that they cannot sell, so lets buy more, unbloody believable.

 

The planes that are parked are obsolete. Why would you expect TG to keep flying  B747 and AB 340 when other airlines were phasing them out years ago because the aircraft consumed too much fuel? The B777 aircraft TG  is trying to dispose of are  20+years old and require some heavy maintenance.  The new aircraft pay for themselves in their fuel savings and additional payloads and range.

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

The reality is that they have no business plan that does not rely heavily on foreign tourism. They will stall as long as they can delaying their foreign creditors until mass tourism is revived. 

 

Expect their foreign creditors to be trying to get money from THAI for a decade or longer. 

The reality is that they have no business plan that does not rely heavily on foreign tourism. They will stall as long as they can delaying their foreign creditors until mass tourism is revived."

 

Well there is an answer > no tourists therefore revenues down > easy answer > raise fares.   

Edited February 9, 2021 by scorecard

[Captain Monday]

18 hours ago, colinneil said:

So Thai airways think that spending billions on 10 new planes is going to solve their problems, crazy or what.

They have planes parked up that they cannot sell, so lets buy more, unbloody believable.

Some of those planes can hardly be given away for scrap value. (A340) Buying 10 but how many of their old gas guzzlers will be parked, permanently? Major restructuring is happening worldwide covid-19 the biggest thing to happen to air travel since the introduction of jet engines. A Japanese sent me a link claiming ANA and JL might merge. Asiana and Korean already. 

[Harveyboy]

17 hours ago, trainman34014 said:

Thai Pilot in Wifes family was laid off with half pay many months ago.   Had a Porche, Wife a Mercedes, large Houses in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and a Hoiday Home in Italy.  The two Thai Houses both with Mortgages which he now can't afford to pay, Porche and Merc' gone, House in Italy gone and House in The North for sale but nobody's buying.   He works part time as a Taxi Driver and at other times as a Grab Rider.  Wife is still having 2k Baht Hairdo's and laying on the Sofa painting her nails.    My advice to him was kick her Butt out and tell her to get a job !

great advice mate..im with you on that one  ..

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, gunderhill said:

"effluenced" may be  more  apt.

you mean as in Gas...

[Fex Bluse]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

The reality is that they have no business plan that does not rely heavily on foreign tourism. They will stall as long as they can delaying their foreign creditors until mass tourism is revived."

 

Well there is an answer > no tourists therefore revenues down > easy answer > raise fares.   

I will not be surprised if they do that. Thai Logic ????????

[SomchaiCNX]

Simplifying  the lineup is the correct reaction, unfortunately they go for Boeing instead of Airbus. Mainly because the military part (and former military pilots) prefer Boeing. Also the consultant has American roots. Some bus drivers will go to THAI smile. Although the A 350 will stay according to some sources.

 

 

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed.  

[natway09]

I must admit that unlike most of the slaggers on here I have had  literally thousands of wonderful flights with Thai.

One very quickly forgets the advantages & flag waving a national carrier gives a small

country like Thailand & the difficulties faced if you do not have.

The restructuring had to be done & if 400 pilots will not be needed , so be it.

The mainstay aircraft for International travel has been the 747 & 777, (not 772) the former of which has just about been put out to pasture & the 777-200's if not, should be soon.

They have both been wonderful aircraft & served well

The next 6 years sees  the A350 & 767 being masters of the skies due to their range , fuel economy & size. (not too big)

Even Emirites has realized this & wants to change their orders from the new 777X {due to be released in 2022 ) to the 767's

Thai has the A350 (not sure how many) flying now & is living up to it's billing .

Cracker of an aircraft to me.

The restructuring is ongoing & if going to continue the airline must plan 

I am astounded that their creditors did not insist on a highly skilled "expat" to oversee the restructuring & is disappointing if for no other reason than to  be seen to "keep the  cookies in the cupboard"

Finally, if they insist on ALL Government Departments being billed & pay in 30 days for any staff flights taken  they can make a go of it. NO Freebies except for normal FF's

I for one hope so because "I fly Thai" whenever it suits where I am going

[SupermarineS6B]

A friend of mine was a maintenance manager for a large airline operating out of Suvarnabhum. He always said that one day he'd buy an engine then he'd be on easy street and he thought he had one coming out of Indonesia as there was a P+W refurbishment shop down there that he thought he could purchase one from, not cheap i might add..... 

I asked him to elaborate ? He told me that most airlines rent the engines, rent the seats, and finance the airframe. 

Wow, that was a revelation to me, but as far as Thai airlines goes, no one's going to touch them if they can't pay their debts first, and we all know that Thais don't like to pay back. I learned that from my first job in Thailand when i had to go to a company, threaten to smash the gates down, then confiscated a lot of machinery from the company that initially started the Skytrain in payment for what they owed the company i was working for. It was hilarious as i'd turned up with a D9 on a flatbed and just pointed to the Dozer when the bloke on the gate was refusing entry...... He flung the gates open and being an elderly German man was heard muttering......"Tommies"

 So Thai airways predicament doesn't look all that bad if they just opened the country up as soon as possible and got the tourist figures to a level where you could entice finance....... Flog the scrappers to Bolivia or someone who wants to make a restaurant and stop running the joint like an army camp......

 

Oh, and run the airline for profit not a private taxi service for the connected.......