📍 Bangkok, Thailand — Budget carrier Nok Air has been ordered to suspend all international flight operations following a directive from Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT). The decision comes after a series of safety-related incidents recorded between 2023 and 2025, prompting regulatory intervention.
According to CAAT, the airline exhibited operational deficiencies including in-flight engine shutdowns, runway excursions, hard landings, and tail strikes. These incidents, coupled with a wave of resignations among pilots, flight instructors, and aviation inspectors, raised concerns about Nok Air’s safety culture and internal oversight.
The suspension also prohibits the airline from expanding its domestic or international route network until corrective measures are implemented. CAAT has given Nok Air one week to address the identified issues before reconsidering the ban.
Nok Air CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool stated that while international flights have not operated since June 2025, domestic services continue under CAAT’s supervision. He emphasized the airline’s adherence to safety protocols and ongoing collaboration with Boeing and other partners to maintain operational standards.
The move coincides with an upcoming audit of Thailand’s aviation safety system by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), scheduled to conclude on September 8, 2025.
Nok Air Plane Picture by Alec Wilson
