Nok Scoot, the low-cost long haul arm of Nok Air, denied on Wednesday that it was closing down its operations due to the coronavirus shutdown.
However, the low-cost carrier, which is a joint venture of Nok Airlines and Singapore’s Scoot, told local media that they are cutting their fleet and letting people go.
NokScoot’s fleet is now down from five to two planes. The company said that the number of employees to be cut will be in line with the size of the fleet.
A company source told Thai Enquirer that they are now in “hibernation mode of operations” with a board meeting on Friday to decide on the possibility of further cuts.
In February, the carrier already cut its fleet from seven down to five planes and let go of 47 employees, including 11 captains and 36 flight attendants.
NokScoot will receive financial assistance via a loan worth 200 million baht at 6.3 per cent interest rate from its major shareholder Hatairatn Jurangkool, who owns 24.37 per cent of the company.