Nok Air on Monday fired one employee, suspended two others and launched investigations into another seven for Sunday’s pilots strike that caused nine flights to be cancelled.
A document entitled "Orders regarding pilots failing to perform their routine duties and others" and signed by Nok Air chief executive Patee Sarasin leaked online Monday night. Confirmed by an airline source as being authentic, it details the launch of inquiries, suspensions and termination involving 10 workers.
According to the document, one employee was fired without severance pay or compensation for intent to commit a serious offence against the company. Two others were suspended until Feb 23 pending investigations, and the remaining seven were allowed to continue working but are facing investigation.
The airline's personnel action capped a frenzied day of activity surrounding the budget carrier that is 39% owned by Thai Airways International that began with long lines of disgruntled passengers at Don Mueang airport and continued with a Transport Ministry meeting with 13 other airlines.
The ministry this afternoon gave Nok Air three days to clarify the cancellation of nine flights caused by the pilot strike.
During the meeting with the domestic and international carriers, Deputy Transport Ministry Ormsin Chivapruck told airline representatives they had a month to submit contingency plans if they have to cancel some flights.
Mr Ormsin said Nok Air did not send anyone to attend the meeting due to schedule conflicts with the airline's emergency meeting that led to the personnel action.
Mr Ormsin said the airline's contingency plans must include the presence of authorised staff who could take charge of unexpected situations immediately and made executive decisions at both arrival and destination points regardless of where the problem occurred.
In the future, Mr Ormsin said all airlines' operational data would be linked to an information centre of the Office of Civil Aviation for better monitoring and rapid response purposes.
Mr Ormsin said after Nok Air sent its explanation the ministry would announce how it will proceed in a week. If the pilots who struck are found guilty of violating their contract, they may not be allowed to extend their licences, he said.