Clear for takeoff: Thailand’s aviation adopts pay-to-fly models amid post-Covid revival

[webfact]

 

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 2024.

Yet, in Thailand, a glut of idle pilots has led several airlines to introduce a pay-to-fly element to their recruitment programmes. Potential pilots seeking new career opportunities have to go through training to ensure their skills match the requirements of the aircraft types that the hiring airlines operate.

 

by Alex Morgan

Picture courtesy of Ruben Sukatendel, Unsplash.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thai-aviation-hit-by-controversial-pay-to-fly-scheme-amid-slow-recovery

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-08-11

 

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[Ben Zioner]

Fair enough..

[circa02]

So in labor glut, instead of selecting the best based on merit, fine tuning and evolving your screening procedures to filter a larger pool of candidates for better prospects it's now who can afford it?  

Edited August 11, 2023 by circa02

[rocketboy2]

Thought the title meant,  you could pay to have a go at flying this one.  

(  Thailand’s aviation adopts pay-to-fly models )

 

 

Edited August 11, 2023 by rocketboy2

[Scott Tracy]

Pay to fly' schemes are an aviation industry practice whereby a professional pilot, whether in training or not, operates an aircraft in commercial service, i.e. on a regular revenue-earning flight – as any other qualified crew member – but instead of receiving a salary he/she pays for the cost of gaining flight experience.

 

Good grief. Imagine this for other professionals? 

[LukKrueng]

4 hours ago, rocketboy2 said:

Thought the title meant,  you could pay to have a go at flying this one.  

(  Thailand’s aviation adopts pay-to-fly models )

 

 

Beautiful model. 

[Flying Saucage]

Pay for fly, till the world will see the next pandemic. Some dire figures are predicting it already.

[mania]

On 8/10/2023 at 4:06 PM, webfact said:

Yet, in Thailand, a glut of idle pilots has led several airlines to introduce a pay-to-fly element to their recruitment programmes.

Oh similar to becoming a Thai Police officer then? ????