Nok Air suspends all international flights after regulator cites safety concerns

In response to the allegations outlined by authorities, Nok Air said CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool is preparing a formal reply and expressed confidence that restrictions could be lifted within a month. "CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool is preparing a formal reply to the allegations and expressed confidence that the flight restrictions could be lifted within a month," according to company statements cited in local media.

The airline has also seen several resignations among pilots, flight instructors, and aviation inspectors. According to The Nation Thailand, these departures point toward deeper issues related to safety culture and workforce morale at Nok Air.

The timing of CAAT’s intervention comes as Thailand undergoes an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). This audit evaluates national aviation oversight capabilities and runs from August 27 through September 8, 2025. Authorities’ actions are viewed as part of efforts to ensure compliance with ICAO standards ahead of this assessment.

Thailand recently regained FAA Category 1 aviation safety status after nearly ten years at Category 2. This upgrade was confirmed by the US Federal Aviation Administration in April 2025 and allows Thai airlines direct access to United States markets. The improvement reflects broader progress in meeting ICAO requirements (https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/thailand-meets-international-aviation-safety-standards).

Founded in 2004, Nok Air operates mainly from Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok but also maintains bases at Chiang Mai International Airport and Phuket International Airport. Its fleet consists of fourteen Boeing 737-800 aircraft with an average age of just over eleven years (https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/DD). While primarily serving domestic destinations—eighteen cities across Thailand—the airline previously offered five international routes before this suspension.