BOI Partners with Airbus to Make Bangkok Skywise Hub
Thailand's BOI reveals Airbus has chosen Bangkok as the Skywise Asia headquarters and its sole global software testing base, with plans to hire over 40 staff by 2026.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Airbus establishes Bangkok as its regional Skywise headquarters for Asia
- Thailand selected as the exclusive global software testing base for airline solutions
- Current workforce exceeds 200 staff, with 40 more roles planned by 2026
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has disclosed discussions with European aerospace and defense manufacturer Airbus, which is expanding Thailand's role into a regional hub for digital business and aviation engineering. The strategic move involves designating Bangkok as the headquarters for Skywise in Asia and establishing Thailand as the sole software testing base for products serving global airline customers.
Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI, stated that Airbus has set up a regional Flight Operations Center of Excellence in Thailand under the Skywise banner to support aviation system development through digital and advanced aviation technologies across the Asian market.
Airbus currently employs over 200 personnel in Thailand, marking a threefold increase since 2022, with 85 percent of them being Thai nationals including aerospace engineers, software developers, graphic designers, technicians, and other skilled professionals. The company also plans to recruit over 40 additional staff members by 2026 to support business expansion.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The Skywise platform develops digital solutions for airlines, ranging from pilot manuals, flight data analytics, safety management, flight and crew planning, to predictive aircraft maintenance systems designed to enhance operational efficiency. Airbus is currently scaling up its Skywise software testing team in Thailand to ensure quality control prior to global delivery, making Thailand the exclusive testing ground for worldwide customer software, while the Bangkok headquarters oversees operations across ASEAN, China, India, Japan, and South Korea.
Airbus's decision to anchor its Skywise operations and exclusive testing facility in Thailand underscores international confidence in the country's engineering talent and technical capabilities. Furthermore, Thailand's geopolitical neutrality serves as a vital asset for global corporations seeking to diversify supply chain risks within the aerospace sector amid complex global dynamics.
Narit added that this expanded role not only highlights Thailand's readiness but also generates high-value employment and opens up opportunities for Thai professionals in the global aviation industry. Airbus estimates that global passenger traffic and fleet size could double over the next 20 years, driving demand for more than 20,000 new aircraft, while the company holds an order backlog exceeding 9,000 planes, equivalent to over a decade of production capacity.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Regarding supply chain development and talent cultivation, Airbus is collaborating with leading academic institutions in Thailand including King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Kasetsart University, and Chulalongkorn University to align aerospace engineering curricula with industry demands. The company is also working with local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) partners and exploring future potential for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production derived from agricultural waste.
Source: Techsauce
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