The Thai Pilots Association is strongly against a government proposal to temporarily ease restrictions on foreign pilots flying with Thai carriers.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday that one major problem for the tourism sector has been the slow resumption of flights. A post-pandemic personnel shortage has been one of the reasons cited by airlines worldwide.

The government has already asked airlines to increase flights to help the recovery of tourism, he said.

Some airlines would like the government to consider allowing foreign pilots to fly Thai aircraft, as the job is currently reserved for Thais.

“We will discuss this issue with the Ministry of Labour to seek a possible solution, including lifting this restriction on a temporary basis,” Mr Srettha said.

Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the pilots’ group, said the association disagrees with the idea of allowing foreign pilots to work for Thai carriers.

During the pandemic, airlines scaled down their operations, forcing them to furlough a number of Thai pilots and freeze employment of fresh graduates, he said.

Mr Teerawat said Thai student pilots face difficulties getting jobs as they don’t have the experience to apply for foreign carriers.

The association found some experienced pilots who were laid off during the pandemic have not returned to the cockpit, as the fleets of some airlines have yet to fully recover.

“Over a thousand student pilots are still unemployed. I think we should prioritise them. There is no need to open this job to foreigners,” said Mr Teerawat.