This Airline Has Been Forced To Ground All International Flights

Nok Air, Thailand’s low-cost carrier, has been ordered to suspend all of its international flights after the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) raised serious concerns over safety and staffing. The directive, reported by the Bangkok Post, puts a halt to the airline’s small but growing international network, which includes services to China and India.

Safety Concerns Come To Light

According to CAAT’s letter, sent to Nok Air’s CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool on August 25, 2025, the airline has faced multiple incidents between 2023 and 2025 that prompted the regulator’s intervention. These include inflight engine shutdowns, runway excursions, hard landings, and tail strikes. The most troubling issue remains the unresolved cause of several engine failures mid-flight, which continue to raise doubts about the carrier’s operational reliability.

While Nok Air has not operated international flights since June 2025—blaming seasonal demand fluctuations—the regulator’s order effectively prevents the carrier from relaunching those services until safety concerns are resolved. Industry observers believe this could delay Nok Air’s planned overseas expansion by months.

Workforce Challenges Deepen The Crisis

Compounding safety concerns, Nok Air is also struggling with a wave of resignations from pilots, flight instructors, and aviation inspectors. Reports from The Nation Thailand suggest these departures highlight deeper cultural and organizational challenges within the airline, particularly regarding employee morale and the company’s commitment to safety.

The timing of the suspension is notable, as Thailand is currently preparing for an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety audit under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme. The audit, running from August 27 to September 8, 2025, is designed to ensure the country’s aviation sector meets international safety benchmarks. Analysts suggest the regulator’s tough stance on Nok Air is part of Thailand’s broader effort to maintain compliance ahead of the inspection.

Thailand’s Aviation Landscape

Thailand’s aviation industry has been under the spotlight in recent years. In April 2025, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration restored the country’s Category 1 safety rating, allowing Thai carriers to operate direct flights to the United States after nearly a decade at Category 2. The CAAT’s decision to ground Nok Air’s international services is being seen as a move to protect this hard-won progress.

Founded in 2004, Nok Air operates mainly from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), with additional hubs in Chiang Mai and Phuket. The carrier flies a fleet of 14 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, averaging just over 11 years old. Although its core business remains domestic travel, Nok Air had been positioning itself for regional expansion—plans that now face an uncertain timeline.