Thailand's Nok Air postpones JV with Euro carrier to 2017

Nok Air (DD, Bangkok Don Mueang) has postponed plans to partner an undisclosed European carrier in the wake of a pilot strike that paralysed operations this past weekend.

According to Reuters, CEO Patee Sarasin told a news conference that the agreement would have involved the leasing of aircraft and would have allowed the Thai carrier to deploy capacity to Europe during the high season there while its partner would have deployed its surplus capacity to Asia during Europe's traditional low winter season.

However, in order to secure the contract, Nok Air would have to restructure its operations in line with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards, a move that its pilots resisted thus leading to Sunday's industrial action.

As such, Nok Air has now postponed the planned partnership until 2017 Sarasin added.

ch aviation