International flights for Nok Air have been temporarily halted by CAAT, enforcing a ban on route expansion due to safety regulations being overlooked.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has suspended Nok Air's international flights and expansion plans, citing safety compliance issues. Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director-General of CAAT, made the announcement, stating that the airline has shown deficiencies in its operations, particularly concerning engine in-flight shutdown incidents.

Nok Air, however, remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards and improving service quality across all operations. The airline thanked passengers for their continued trust and assured them that domestic services are operating as scheduled, fully compliant with CAAT regulations and international safety standards.

The suspension is part of a broader effort to ensure full compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. An investigation and analysis of the data are required to assess the danger, evaluate the outcomes, and accurately evaluate the risks. Nok Air maintains close coordination with CAAT and relevant agencies, including Boeing, to ensure the highest level of safety.

The ICAO audit of Thailand's aviation safety system is scheduled to take place from August 27 to September 8, 2025. The findings will enable the implementation of risk mitigation processes and the development of appropriate recommendations. The airline did not provide information about the cancellation of the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son service or the switch to Udon Thani.

Despite competitive pressures in the region, Nok Air maintains a sufficient and qualified workforce, providing training to meet CAAT and ICAO standards for all personnel. The person employed as Director-General of the CAAT who confirmed the security deficiencies at Nok Air is Chula Sukmanop.

Wutthiphum Jurangkool, the CEO of Nok Air, confirmed that the airline continues to operate domestic services under CAAT's strict oversight, despite the suspension of international flights. However, he did not mention a timeline for resolving the operational inefficiencies in Nok Air's flight operations system or the root cause of the incidents.

Over the past 2-3 years, the rate of incidents at Nok Air has been significant, including engine in-flight shutdowns, runway excursions, hard landings, and tail strikes. CAAT identified deficiencies in Nok Air's operations, including incidents related to personnel and operational performance from 2023 to 2025.

The suspension applies to all international and domestic expansion plans of Nok Air. Wutthiphum did not comment on the significant number of resignations from pilots, flight instructors, and appointed aviation inspectors from the company. Nok Air adheres to the maintenance manual approved by CAAT and international standards, with safety audits from the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).

The airline is cooperating fully with CAAT to address the safety concerns and regain its international flight status. As the investigation progresses, passengers are advised to monitor Nok Air's official announcements for updates on their services.

International flights for Nok Air have been temporarily halted by CAAT, enforcing a ban on route expansion due to safety regulations being overlooked.