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Layoffs Hit Airline Industry

By Kalaya Suniyasi
Bangkok (13 February) — One of the largest airlines in Thailand, Superior Thai Airways Ltd. has announced plans to lay off more than 100 employees in March. This follows similar moves made by two of Superior’s competitors — Royal Tigress Air and Thai Venture Airlines — in late January. Prasong Yadasang, senior vice president for Superior Thai Airways, said the move was necessary due to the falling numbers of passengers flying to international destinations this year. However, domestic travel has remained steady. Yadasang blamed a poor global economy and the growing threat of terrorism as factors negatively affecting the travel industry. “Unfortunately, the company has no choice but to downsize in order to meet the challenges we are currently facing,” the senior VP said in a statement. He noted that employees who are let go will receive severance packages that are in excess of what is required by Thai labor law. In addition to cutting flight attendants,
pilots, and administrative staff, the airline may reduce the frequency of its flights on some routes. “No routes are currently on the chopping block at this time,” Yadasang said. “However, the company will not rule out getting rid of some of its more unprofitable routes in the future.”