BANGKOK – The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has ordered Nok Air to stop international services and freeze any expansion of its routes. This move, announced on 25 August 2025, comes just days before Thailand is scheduled for an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety review running from 27 August to 8 September 2025.

These actions put a spotlight on safety problems within Nok Air and raise concerns about the airline’s standards, its customers’ travel plans, and Thailand’s global aviation reputation.

CAAT based its decision on a series of safety and operational failures found between 2023 and 2025. Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, who leads the CAAT, shared details of several troubling incidents, including engine outages mid-flight, runway overruns, hard landings, and tail strikes.

The cause of one engine failure mid-air is still not known. These repeated problems show gaps in how Nok Air handles safety and highlight poor oversight and training. Another major issue is the high rate at which pilots, instructors, and inspectors have left the airline.

With key roles scarcely filled, the chance of mistakes grows. CAAT says Nok Air has not figured out why these setbacks keep happening or how to fix them. Manat gave Nok Air one week to fix urgent issues before it could restore international services.

Until then, all international flights between Bangkok and cities in China (Nanjing, Nanning, Zhengzhou) and India (Hyderabad, Mumbai) remain suspended.

Nok Air’s chief executive has defended the carrier’s safety record

Nok Air’s Ongoing Challenges

Nok Air has faced similar trouble before. Founded in 2004 as Sky Asia Co. Ltd., the airline quickly became known for its domestic network of 24 destinations and its colourful planes. Despite this, safety and reliability have often been questioned.

In 2015, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration downgraded Thailand’s safety rating, pushing the country into Category 2 for not meeting ICAO standards. Problems then and now trace back to weak oversight, which led to the CAAT taking charge in 2016.

A lack of pilots also became public knowledge in 2015, as new regulations forced out underqualified crew. At that time, Nok Air struggled to staff its busy routes, with fewer than 200 available pilots. The ex-CEO, Patee Sarasin, pointed to frequent departures, which put even more pressure on the airline. In 2016, multiple cancellations and mixed messages to travellers hurt the company’s image.

More recently, in July 2022, a Nok Air Boeing 737-800 left the runway during heavy rain at Chiang Rai airport, causing a scare for 164 passengers but no injuries. CAAT stepped in to investigate, while Nok Air provided compensation, such as free return tickets and fare credits to affected customers.

Efforts to launch and grow international services have also stumbled. Flights to Bangalore started in 2007, stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NokScoot joint venture fell apart in 2020, further limiting overseas options. These problems highlight Nok Air’s long-standing difficulties with consistent service and safety.

Nok Air

How Passengers Are Affected

Nok Air’s international ban leaves many travellers stranded, especially those bound for China or India. Nok Air has not operated international flights since June 2025; CAAT’s order makes it clear these flights won’t return soon.

Passengers with bookings should contact Nok Air about moving their flight to a later date or getting a refund. Nok Air said domestic routes, which make up most of its business, will operate as usual under CAAT monitoring.

Those who rely on low fares now face uncertainty and may need to find other airlines, likely at a higher cost. Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, or Bangkok Airways could be alternatives for affected passengers.

Nok Air’s CEO, Wutthiphum Jurangkool, has said the company follows CAAT-approved maintenance and international safety checks like the IATA Operational Safety Audit. Even so, CAAT found the airline’s efforts lacking and pressed for immediate changes.

The CAAT’s tough response shows a strong push for Thailand’s airlines to align with ICAO safety rules, especially with another attempt to regain its former U.S. safety rank by early 2026. The country’s slip to FAA Category 2 in 2015 blocked new flights to the United States, and the upcoming ICAO review is key to rebuilding global trust.

Since 2015, CAAT has worked to resolve earlier issues, reaching an important milestone in 2017 when ICAO withdrew its “red flag” warning, thanks to advice from experts in the UK, France, and the European Union.

For Nok Air, the current suspension means urgent changes are needed to improve safety standards and manage staff better. The company is working with Boeing and other technology providers on pilot monitoring, but deeper changes are essential. CEO Wutthiphum promised the airline would meet all requirements for staffing and compliance, though CAAT’s one-week deadline presents a tough challenge.

As Nok Air rushes to meet safety demands, travellers and the industry are waiting for news of when or if its international flights will return. Domestic flights remain reliable for now, helping the airline stay afloat. However, Nok Air’s reputation is under serious threat.

For Thailand’s aviation sector, CAAT’s clear focus on safety over growth could boost its international standing in the long run. In the meantime, Nok Air’s “Smiling Across Asia” message feels more like hope than reality as the airline works to rise above its problems.