Nok Air has suspended all international flights after Thailand’s aviation regulator ordered the budget airline to resolve safety and staff-related issues, according to a report by the Bangkok Post.
According to the report, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) sent a letter to Nok Air’s chief executive officer (CEO), Wutthiphum Jurangkool, on August 25, 2025. In the letter, the civil aviation regulator highlighted all safety-related incidents from 2023 to 2025 that raised concerns.
Spike In Safety Incidents Raises Concerns
Safety concerns have grounded the budget carrier’s limited international operations, which consist of just five routes, including three to China and two to India. It is worth noting that Nok Air has not operated these flights since June 2025, citing the off-season for travel to China and India.
The Thai civil aviation regulator’s move to suspend international flights puts a halt to the airline’s plans to expand its overseas network. According to media reports, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) cited multiple safety incidents between 2023 and 2025, including inflight engine shutdowns, runway excursions, hard landings, and tail strikes.
The most concerning issue is the unresolved cause of the inflight engine shutdowns, which continue to raise questions about Nok Air’s operational reliability, according to the Bangkok Post. In response, the airline stated that CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool is preparing a formal reply to the allegations and expressed confidence that the flight restrictions could be lifted within a month.
Resignations From Nok Air’s Pilots
Alongside a rise in safety-related incidents, the airline has experienced a notable wave of resignations among pilots, flight instructors, and appointed aviation inspectors. According to The Nation Thailand, this trend reflects deeper internal challenges, including the carrier’s safety culture, employee morale, and broader workforce issues.
More About Nok Air
Founded in 2004, Nok Air is a popular low-cost carrier based at Bangkok’s second-busiest hub, Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). In addition to DMK, the airline operates from two other main bases: Chiang Mai International Airport (CXS) in the north and Phuket International Airport (HKT) in the south.
The carrier’s network primarily focuses on domestic destinations, connecting popular holiday cities across the country. According to its official website, in addition to five international destinations, the low-cost airline offers direct flights to 18 domestic destinations across Thailand. These domestic destinations include Krabi, Udon Thani, Chiang Rai, Trang, Hat Yai, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Mae Sot, among other cities.
At present, the Thai budget airline operates a total of 14 Boeing 737-800 narrowbody aircraft, with an average age of 11.3 years, according to ch-aviation data. The airline’s 737-800s can accommodate a total of 189 passengers in a single-class cabin layout.
