The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has suspended Nok Air‘s international operations and expansion plans after the airline failed to meet required safety standards. The suspension comes as Thailand prepares for an audit of its aviation safety system by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), scheduled between 27 August 2025 and 08 September 2025.
Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director-General of CAAT, said Nok Air must halt all international services and refrain from expanding both domestic and international routes until identified deficiencies are resolved. The suspension is aimed at ensuring full compliance with ICAO standards ahead of the global audit.
According to Manat, CAAT’s review revealed a series of safety-related concerns within Nok Air’s operations, covering the period from 2023 to 2025. These included incidents such as engine in-flight shutdowns, runway excursions, hard landings, and tail strikes. Particularly alarming were the engine shutdown events, where investigations have yet to determine the root causes. Manat stressed that a full risk assessment and mitigation process must be completed before Nok Air can resume normal expansion plans.
The CAAT chief also pointed to high turnover rates among Nok Air’s pilots, flight instructors, and aviation inspectors as a reflection of deeper organizational challenges. These workforce issues have raised concerns over employee morale, safety culture, and the availability of sufficiently experienced personnel for critical operations.
Nok Air has been given one week to address the deficiencies before the suspension is reconsidered.
Wutthiphum Jurangkool, CEO of Nok Air, clarified that the airline has not flown international routes since June 2025 but continues to operate domestic services under CAAT’s oversight. He defended the carrier’s safety practices, noting that Nok Air adheres to CAAT-approved maintenance procedures and international standards, including the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). The airline also works closely with Boeing and regulators to ensure compliance.
On staffing concerns, Wutthiphum maintained that Nok Air retains a qualified workforce and provides continuous training to meet ICAO and CAAT requirements.
Despite the suspension, Nok Air assured passengers that its domestic operations remain unaffected and fully compliant with both local and international safety standards. The airline emphasized its commitment to strengthening safety practices and maintaining customer trust while working with regulators to resolve the outstanding issues.