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Phuket Air to be restructured and undergo name change
Leithen Francis, Singapore (14Mar06, 02:50 GMT, 432 words)
Thailand’s Phuket Air plans to change its name and restructure itself into an international passenger charter airline and a scheduled short-haul carrier.
Director general of Thailand’s Department of Aviation, Chaisak Angkasuwan, says Phuket Air was originally planning to call its new short-haul operation Suvarnabhumi Airlines but has since decided against using this name because Bangkok’s new international airport is called Suvarnabhumi airport.
He says the name now being considered is Thai Star, while an industry source in Bangkok familiar with Phuket Air says another name being considered for the short-haul operation is Siam Star.
Chaisak says it will operate on domestic and short-haul international routes using Boeing 737-200s and possibly 50-seat regional jets.
“They are talking about Embraer ERJ-145s,” he says. “PB Air already operates this aircraft in Thailand and it is a good aircraft.”
Phuket Air currently operates 737-200s from Bangkok to Yangon in Myanmar and to Ranong within Thailand. It used to also operate on several other domestic routes in Thailand using NAMC YS-11 turboprops. But these were grounded in September and the airline has no plans to operate these ageing aircraft in Thailand, says Chaisak.
The long-haul charter operation will be marketed under the name Holiday Airlines and use Phuket Air’s Boeing 747 ‘Classics’, says Chaisak, adding that Phuket Air already does charters for Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Phuket Air used to provide scheduled passenger services from Bangkok to Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and the UK using its 747s but last year some of the aircraft experienced mechanical problems and were temporarily grounded over safety concerns.
Also last May the Netherlands withdrew Phuket Air’s landing permit over safety concerns and in June France put Phuket Air on an international blacklist which means the Thai carrier’s aircraft are barred from French territory.
Chaisak says Phuket Air has “been trying to improve its maintenance section and have brought in a team from Air France” to help. Industry sources in Thailand say Air France Consulting is the business unit assisting Phuket Air.
He adds: “We have sent a letter to the Netherlands and UK authorities saying that Phuket Air’s maintenance section is now improved and Phuket Air is now ready for them to come out to do an audit.”
Chaisak also confirms that if Phuket Air does proceed with the restructuring and the change in name it will have to apply for a new air operator’s certificate. In the meantime, it will be permitted to continue providing scheduled services from Bangkok to Yangon and Ranong under the Phuket Air name, he adds.
Executives from Phuket Air were unavailable for comment.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
Leithen Francis, Singapore (14Mar06, 02:50 GMT, 432 words)
Thailand’s Phuket Air plans to change its name and restructure itself into an international passenger charter airline and a scheduled short-haul carrier.
Director general of Thailand’s Department of Aviation, Chaisak Angkasuwan, says Phuket Air was originally planning to call its new short-haul operation Suvarnabhumi Airlines but has since decided against using this name because Bangkok’s new international airport is called Suvarnabhumi airport.
He says the name now being considered is Thai Star, while an industry source in Bangkok familiar with Phuket Air says another name being considered for the short-haul operation is Siam Star.
Chaisak says it will operate on domestic and short-haul international routes using Boeing 737-200s and possibly 50-seat regional jets.
“They are talking about Embraer ERJ-145s,” he says. “PB Air already operates this aircraft in Thailand and it is a good aircraft.”
Phuket Air currently operates 737-200s from Bangkok to Yangon in Myanmar and to Ranong within Thailand. It used to also operate on several other domestic routes in Thailand using NAMC YS-11 turboprops. But these were grounded in September and the airline has no plans to operate these ageing aircraft in Thailand, says Chaisak.
The long-haul charter operation will be marketed under the name Holiday Airlines and use Phuket Air’s Boeing 747 ‘Classics’, says Chaisak, adding that Phuket Air already does charters for Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Phuket Air used to provide scheduled passenger services from Bangkok to Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and the UK using its 747s but last year some of the aircraft experienced mechanical problems and were temporarily grounded over safety concerns.
Also last May the Netherlands withdrew Phuket Air’s landing permit over safety concerns and in June France put Phuket Air on an international blacklist which means the Thai carrier’s aircraft are barred from French territory.
Chaisak says Phuket Air has “been trying to improve its maintenance section and have brought in a team from Air France” to help. Industry sources in Thailand say Air France Consulting is the business unit assisting Phuket Air.
He adds: “We have sent a letter to the Netherlands and UK authorities saying that Phuket Air’s maintenance section is now improved and Phuket Air is now ready for them to come out to do an audit.”
Chaisak also confirms that if Phuket Air does proceed with the restructuring and the change in name it will have to apply for a new air operator’s certificate. In the meantime, it will be permitted to continue providing scheduled services from Bangkok to Yangon and Ranong under the Phuket Air name, he adds.
Executives from Phuket Air were unavailable for comment.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
