Early retirement deals also offered to keep costs low

Thai Airways International (THAI)'s board of directors Friday agreed to extend the age limit for female flight attendants hired under outsourcing contracts to 60 years from 45 years.

Thai Airways will consider the performance of each outsource employee annually before offering a new contract.

For outsource air and ground employees, Thai Airways will extend the maximum age stipulated in hiring contracts to 60.

Because the company will incur higher expenses from the contract extensions, THAI is reportedly offering a "mutual separation plan" to female flight attendants over 45 years of age in a bid to reduce costs. The female attendants aged over 45 have been offered a voluntary retirement package ahead of the obligatory retirement age of 60.

Meanwhile, the board has also officially appointed Sorajak Kasemsuvan as THAI's new president.

Chokchai Panyayong, executive vice president and acting president of Thai Airways, said the cabin factor of the national carrier increased in August to 78.8 per cent from 74.8 per cent in July. Cabin factor is the percentage of seats sold.

THAI will have more flexibility in setting its flight schedule after Thai AirAsia moves all its Bangkok operations to Don Mueang International Airport by October 1, Chokchai said.

"Passenger traffic at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be relaxed. After buying A380 aircraft, Thai Airways plans to increase the number of flights by 10 per cent next year," he said.

The number of passengers flying THAI in August was 1.78 million, up by 9.8 per cent from 1.62 million passengers in the same month last year.