Nok Air skips meeting, faces probe

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Nok Air faces a probe as its executives failed to show up for a scheduled meeting Monday with aviation authorities after hundreds of passengers were left stranded on Sunday during a pilot strike.

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Nok Air fails to show at airline meet

Carrier punishes pilots who went on strike

Amornrat Mahitthirook

Nok Air executives failed to show up for a scheduled meeting Monday with aviation authorities after hundreds of its passengers were left stranded on Sunday when the airline's pilots went on strike.

Almost a dozen Nok Air pilots walked off the job because the airline boosted auditing of aviation management to be in line with standards set by the European Aviation Safety Agency.

The incident prompted aviation authorities to call an urgent meeting Monday with 14 domestic and international airlines operating regular flights.

All except Nok Air attended the meeting chaired by Deputy Transport Minister Omsin Cheevapruek. Nok Air executives informed the aviation authorities it was holding an internal meeting to tackle the problem.

Patee Sarasin, chief executive of Nok Air, told reporters in the morning that he had a photo-shoot session to attend. He also said the airline would punish the pilots.

According to a Nok Air statement released in the morning, the incident involved some disgruntled pilots who did not meet the audit requirements of the airline which is in the process of upgrading its standards to pass the International Air Transport Association's Operation Safety Audit.

Later in the day, Mr Patee, communicating in a text message, said he would not talk to the media until the carrier comes up with a plan to resolve its internal problems.

Shortly after his text message, Nok Air released a statement saying it is taking action against 10 people believed to be responsible for Sunday's strike.

Of them, one has been dismissed, two were suspended for seven days from Monday until next Tuesday, and the seven others face an inquiry, including a deputy vice president overseeing flight operations.

Speaking after the meeting with the airline representatives, Mr Omsin said all carriers are required to draw up contingency plans and appoint a "manager on duty" to make decisions in case of emergencies, including abrupt flight cancellations.

He said the airlines are also required to submit a risk management plan to the Transport Ministry within 30 days.

As for passengers, airlines are required to provide food and drink, communication devices and accommodation as deemed appropriate and compensation of 1,200 baht.

"A first violation will result in a warning. The second is punished by suspension of the Air Operator Licence. The third results in revocation of the AOL, and that is up to the transport minister," he said.

Discussing the Nok Air incident, Mr Omsin said the airline was required by law to compensate passengers affected by flight cancellations.

He pointed out that no staff with decision-making power were sent to explain the situation to the passengers on Sunday, and this must not happen again as it could cause tension.

He said the cabinet will be informed Tuesday of the Nok Air incident and steps the aviation authorities have taken to resolve the matter.

Amphawan Wannako, deputy director-general of the Department of Airports, said an investigation would be launched into the incident and penalties would be meted out against Nok Air.

Transport permanent secretary Chartchai Thipsunawee said Nok Air management is expected to submit its explanation to the authorities in three days as to why the flights were cancelled.

Two Nok Air flights, DD8722 Bangkok-Chiang Rai and DD7318 Bangkok-Ranong, were rescheduled Monday due to "insufficient staff and an out-of-order conveyor belt".

DD8722 was rescheduled from 4.40pm to 7pm while DD7318 was delayed from 5.05pm to 5.50pm.

You can read our earlier story here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/864692/sudden-pilot-strike-forces-nok-air-cancellations