Pannathorn Tangrungruangchai served as First Officer on Thai Airways flight TG564 from Bangkok to Hanoi on Monday, operating an Airbus A320-200, THAI Corporate Communications, the official public relations and media relations department of Thai Airways, said in an announcement.
Thai Airways stated that the appointment reflects its commitment to diversity, equality, and career advancement opportunities, adding that it hopes the move will encourage more women to pursue commercial aviation careers, according to the announcement.
Pannathorn Tangrungruangchai poses for a photo with a flight crew member. Photo from THAI Corporate Communications’ Facebook page. |
Founded in 1960, Thai Airways hired exclusively male pilots for over six decades. Other domestic carriers, including Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air, have employed female cockpit crew members for years.
The airline did not explain why it had not previously included women in its flight crews, according to local news outlet Khaosod.
Women remain underrepresented in the industry worldwide.
According to the latest data from Women in Aviation International, women currently account for approximately 5% to 7% of the total pilot population globally, and 5% to 6% of U.S. airline pilots.
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Pannathorn Tangrungruangchai. Photo from THAI Corporate Communications’ Facebook page |
Prior to joining Thai Airways, Pannathorn spent more than four years as an Airbus A320 First Officer with another airline, the Bangkok Post reported.
She is a graduate of the Aeronautical Engineering and Commercial Pilot Program at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and completed her flight training at the Asia Aviation Academy.
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