Unpaid bills ground ladyboy airline. Image: Bangkok Post

A financial wrangle has forced Thailand’s PC Air, famous for its transgender crew, to suspend services after an incident last week resulted in passengers being stranded in South Korea.

The carrier’s sole aircraft was set to fly from Seoul to Bangkok but was refused clearance pending settlement of bills, including refuelling costs and service fees, the Bangkok Post reported.

According to the paper, Thailand’s Transport Ministry is unlikely to revoke the privately owned carrier’s operational licence, claiming the airline must generate income in order to pay compensation to affected passengers and businesses.

Services are expected to be suspended until the end of the month.