‍BANGKOK — Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has moved to suspend Nok Air’s (DD) international operations, freezing its expansion plans as the regulator flagged safety and staffing issues inside the airline.

The order, announced by CAAT Director-General Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, means Nok Air cannot add new routes or resume its overseas flights until it addresses a list of shortcomings. The move comes just ahead of Thailand’s ICAO audit set for late August 2025.

From 2023 to the present, DD has experienced a series of safety incidents, including in-flight engine shutdowns, hard landings, runway excursions, and even tail strikes. According to CAAT, some of the root causes—especially behind engine shutdowns—are still unresolved, which has raised alarms.

Adding to the concern, a wave of pilot, instructor, and inspector resignations has put extra strain on the airline’s manpower and culture. CAAT now wants Nok Air to take quick corrective actions, giving the carrier only a week to respond.

About Nok Air’s Suspension

CAAT pointed to several key issues:

• Unresolved Incidents: Multiple safety events since 2023 remain open, including engine shutdowns in flight.
• Operational Safety: Runway excursions and tail strikes highlighted weaknesses in procedures and oversight.
• Staffing Problems: Resignations among pilots and instructors raised questions over training and compliance.
• Audit Pressure: The ICAO inspection, conducted between August 27 and September 8, is driving urgent action from regulators.

Manat said the suspension will remain in place until Nok Air proves it has implemented the necessary fixes and can safely expand again.

Nok Air’s Response

DD’s CEO, Wutthiphum Jurangkool, explained that the airline had already stopped international flights in June 2025, but domestic services are still running under CAAT monitoring. He emphasized that Nok Air adheres to approved maintenance schedules, international protocols, and has recently passed IATA’s IOSA safety audit.

The airline states that it continues to collaborate with CAAT, Boeing, and other agencies to address any remaining gaps. Wutthiphum also underlined that the carrier has qualified staff across its operations, from pilots to engineers, despite challenges in the regional labor market.

He assured passengers that domestic operations remain unaffected and that safety remains the company’s top focus.

Looking Ahead

For Nok Air, the suspension is more than just a pause on international flying—it’s a test of credibility. CAAT’s decision comes at a sensitive time, as Thailand seeks to pass ICAO’s upcoming audit without any negative marks.

If the airline can resolve the outstanding safety and staffing issues promptly, international services may resume later this year. Until then, Nok Air’s growth plans will remain on hold, with regulators closely monitoring the situation.

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