Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank) will continue to provide loans to the local airlines next year, said the bank's president Rak Vorrakitpokatorn.
He expects the airlines' revenue next year will reach 30% of the revenue level recorded prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The bank has provided loans of around 4 billion baht to the local airlines.
He believes that the loans they get from Exim Bank and other commercial banks will enable them to survive the prolonged pandemic impact until the end of this year.
Mr Rak said the bank stands ready to provide loans to local carriers without the need for collateral but they will have to place half of their revenue in their accounts at Exim Bank.
Exim Bank will provide loans to them at the amount of up to 50% of their revenue. The repayment period is between 60 and 120 days.
He said part of the airlines' revenue next year depends on the number of international tourist arrivals.
However, it remains to be seen how many of them will visit Thailand next year and that related state agencies and research houses predict stark different numbers. Some project as high as 15 million tourist arrivals next year, while others predict 5 million.
Last week, the Fiscal Policy Office forecast that the number of international tourist arrivals could reach 7 million next year if China lets its citizens travel abroad in the second half of next year.
