Three Thai airlines face CAAT clampdown
Three Thai-registered airlines are experiencing a financial crunch after their operations were severely affected by a sharp drop in Chinese tourists. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand ordered the three airlines to devise financial rehabilitation plans in response. The number of tourists from mainland China to Thailand has fallen significantly after the government launched a major crackdown on zero-dollar tour scams in September. CAAT director Chula Sukmanop said he instructed the airlines, which operate flights to international destinations mainly in China, to work on solutions to their financial problems and submit their plans to the agency this month. If the airline operators fail to meet the deadline, they could face tough measures including a suspension of their service, Mr Chula said. He declined to name the airlines. The CAAT’s move came after the airlines faced liquidity constraints and were unable to pay their debts including fuel costs and other expenses at airports overseas.
