Thai airlines in talks for state hand out
A group of eight Thailand airlines are hoping to secure loans of THB25 billion (US$770 million) from the government.
They are in discussions for loans which would be repaid over the next five years, said Thai AirAsia chairman, Tassapon Bijleveld.
As well as Thai AirAsia, the other carriers are Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air, Thai Smile, NokScoot and Nok Airlines.
They are hoping to receive some of the money before the end of this month.
The finance ministry has agreed in principal but said no deal has been sealed yet.
"We agree with the operational guidelines, but there are still details that require the airlines to do homework," said Lavaron Sangsnit, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office.
The government is separately talking with flag carrier Thai Airways over a financial aid package.
Airports of Thailand expects passenger traffic to be down by more than half for the fiscal year to September 2020.
It has already reduced various airport fees for airlines to help ease their financial burden.
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