THAI pilots accept Arab 'Godfather' pay offers
Published: 19/04/2011 at 12:00 AM
Thai Airways International (THAI) is facing a critical brain drain as its experienced pilots are being lured away by rich Middle Eastern carriers.
Asdavut: ‘An offer you can’t refuse’
In the past year, 30 senior cockpit staff have departed for more lucrative contracts and, as the Middle Eastern carriers grow, more pilots may depart.
Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have embarked on rapid large-scale expansion by adding hundreds of jets to their fleets.
For instance, Dubai-based Emirates operated 144 jets as of February with 194 more ordered, while Etihad, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, had a fleet of 57 aircraft with 102 ordered as of March.
Their remuneration packages often include a monthly pay cheque four times what THAI offers. A senior co-pilot who just attained full pilot status - the qualification those airlines are looking for - is entitled to a tax-free salary of 400,000 baht a month.
"This is an offer you can't refuse," remarked Asdavut Watanangura, THAI executive vice-president for operations, quoting The Godfather book and film.
The exodus of THAI cockpit staff, especially those with more than eight years of flight experience, will become more intense over the next two years unless the flag carrier quickly addresses the problem, he warned.
"The time may come when THAI needs to supplement its Thai cockpit staff with foreign pilots, like last century when we had some 100 farang pilots flying our 747s," he said.
THAI still has 1,400 cockpit staff, enough to ensure that operations have not been affected.
The Thai flag carrier is working on a package of urgent measures to ensure there are sufficient cockpit personnel to man present and future fleets. High on the list of measures, which will be forwarded to the THAI board for approval this month, is boosting the salary and per diem from an average of 68,000 baht a month by 35%.
An approval will also be sought to extend the retirement age of pilots to 65 from 60, which would enable some 30 senior staff to remain employed, said Capt Asdavut.
THAI needs to intensify its recruitment of junior co-pilots to prepare a manpower base for the future, but securing qualified ones is hard.
"We receive 2,000 applications every time we advertise, but only 60-70 are really qualified for the job," he said.
Thailand is capable of producing about 200 pilots a year, and that should be sufficient to supply Thailand-owned airlines THAI, Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia.
Another retention technique being employed by THAI is inspiring patriotism and pride by telling pilots they are working for a national carrier that offers lifetime employment rather than a contract offered by Middle Eastern airlines.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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