PM to consider 7 airlines’ plea for govt aid
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today said he would consider proposals submitted by seven airlines for measures to mitigate the Covid-19 impact on their business, said Tassapon Bileveld, executive chairman of Thai AirAsia.
The proposed measures include Bt24 billion in soft loans, said Tassaporn after today’s meeting.
The premier said he would order the Finance Ministry to coordinate with state financial institutes on the matter, he added.
The airlines also asked for extension of other relief measures, including the reduction of jet fuel excise tax, which is due to end next month.
Tassapon said the Finance Ministry would look into this matter before making a decision.
Jet fuel tax has been cut to Bt0.2 per litre from the normal Bt4.726 per litre.
The seven airlines seeking relief are Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, THAI Smile Airways, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet, Bangkok Airways and Nok Airlines.
Tassapon said government assistance would enable the airlines to retain staff.
