The probe into the controversial delay of a Thai Airways International (THAI) flight from Zurich to Bangkok on Oct 11, seen as having highlighted internal rifts in the national carrier, will conclude next week, according to Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
The flight from the Swiss city was delayed for over two hours after two pilots on a non-working schedule demanded they be put in first class, which was full.
The seats were full because some passengers in business class had been upgraded.
The pilots insisted it was an industry regulation that required them to get enough rest before they begin work again and the first-class seats were part of the deal.
A THAI pilot, who was not among the two, said the pilots were correct in claiming they had the right to access first-class seats when available.
Ground staff were called in to explain why no seats had been reserved for the two pilots on that flight.
The Zurich-Bangkok flight normally uses a Boeing 777, which only has business and economy seats. But a malfunction in Zurich prompted the airline to use a Boeing 747 instead.
The 747 offers first class seating, which the pilots assumed they were entitled to. But the ground staff did not relegate the upgraded passengers back to business class.
The standoff delayed the flight until two passengers, reportedly a high-ranking Thai official and his wife, volunteered to forfeit their upgrade.
The couple filed a formal complaint with THAI upon their return to Bangkok.
The issue sparked outrage on social media, with users criticising the airline for being unable to settle a relatively trivial mix-up between its pilots and ground staff, with passengers effectively being held "hostage" while it was resolved.
Mr Arkom said yesterday the pilots' claim that they had the right to occupy first-class seats was subject to the company's internal regulations.
- Earlier report: Union says to 'put passengers first'