Thai Airways considers plugging salary gaps among all employees
Thai Airways International plans to adjust the salary structure of all staff in an effort to narrow the earning gaps in the corporation and create a fair working environment.
The company has determined that at present, there is a salary gap between longer-tenured pilots and more newly hired ones. The new ones earn higher salaries because they have to pay their own income tax, while the others are exempt in accordance to the company’s previous policy.
After a board meeting yesterday, THAI president Sorajak Kasemsuvan said consideration on salary adjustments would be continued next month. The feeling is that dealing with income gaps, especially among the pilots, could be a long-term solution to losing valued staff.
At the board meeting, he looked for ways to increase THAI’s sales in its cargo business.
Thai Airways International showed the consolidated operating profit of Bt4.44 billion in the first quarter of this year, up 3.9 per cent or Bt180 million from the same period last year.
The company attributed the slight decline to the weaker revenue earned from cargo services but the expenses side rose due to increased traffic production, payment of staff performance incentive and accrued annual welfare.
Profit before foreign currency exchange and income tax was Bt1.9 billion, a decrease of Bt3 billion or 61.3 per cent from last year.
Thanks to the appreciation of the Thai baht against major currencies, THAI showed the forex gain of Bt6 billion in the quarter. This boosted its quarterly net profit to Bt8.295 billion, up by Bt3.05 billion or 58.3 per cent on year.
THAI plans to play an aggressive role in the carrier’s business, especially looking for new clients to expand its business base. It is an urgent need that will be discussed next Thursday, at a meeting chaired by Kanit Saengsuwan. In the past, THAI’s cargo business has suffered from continual losses.
To mark its 53rd anniversary and the 20th year of the Royal Orchid Plus frequent-flyer programme, the company has offered promotional tickets on 78 international and domestic routes, in both economy and business classes.
In addition, a “Rak Khun Tao Fah” event will be held from tomorrow through Wednesday to sell discounted tickets. The company expects sales to exceed Bt200 million during the four days.
