Thailand’s aviation sector is set for a significant expansion as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) reveals that nine new airlines have applied for Air Operator Certificates (AOC) to launch commercial services this year. This development signals a positive trajectory for the country’s aviation industry, which is steadily recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CAAT Director, Suthipong Kongpool, stated that the new operators, including Asian Aerospace Company Service, Siam Seaplane, RC Airlines, Avanti Air Charter, M-Landarch, Bangkok Helicopter Services, Pattaya Airways, Asia Atlantic Airlines, and P80 Air, have already been granted civil aviation business licenses. This comes in response to a notable rise in passenger volume and growing demand within the aviation sector.
To ensure the safety and viability of these new entrants, the CAAT will thoroughly evaluate each airline’s business plans, financial status, and adherence to safety standards before granting the final licenses.
Simultaneously, existing airlines in Thailand are witnessing a positive trend, reintroducing aircraft and recording improved financial statuses, indicating a broader industry recovery. The CAAT chief reassured that no Thai airlines are currently at risk of financial collapse.
Passenger volume has rebounded to 90% of pre-COVID levels, according to Suthipong Kongpool. The CAAT projects a total of 127 million passengers in Thailand for the current year, comprising 63.03 million international passengers and approximately 64.43 million domestic passengers.
Looking ahead, the CAAT forecasts a complete recovery to pre-COVID levels in 2024, with an estimated 162 million passengers, including 88.62 million international and 74.05 million domestic passengers.
Details of the Nine New Operators:
- Asian Aerospace Company Service Co Ltd: Granted permission to operate non-scheduled flights until October 15, 2026, with a registered capital of 30 million baht.
- Siam Seaplane Co Ltd: Permission to operate non-scheduled flights with Cessna C208B seaplanes until May 2, 2028, boasting a registered capital of 32 million baht.
- RC Airlines Co Ltd (Really Cool): Permission to operate scheduled and non-scheduled flights until July 17, 2028, with a significant registered capital of 200 million baht. RC Airlines is planning Airbus A330-300 flights launching in January next year, with further routes in 2024 and 2025 on Airbus A350 and/or Boeing B787.
- Avanti Air Charter Co Ltd: Permitted to operate non-scheduled flights until July 26, 2028, with a registered capital of 25 million baht.
- M-Landarch Co Ltd: Permitted to operate scheduled and non-scheduled flights until July 26, 2028, with a registered capital of 92.7 million baht. M-Landarch will utilize 19-seater C408 Sky courier aircraft for southern routes.
- Bangkok Helicopter Services Co Ltd: Currently holds an AOC granted for scheduled and non-scheduled flights until August 22, 2028, with a robust registered capital of 400 million baht.
- Pattaya Airways Co Ltd: Permitted to operate non-scheduled cargo flights until August 27, 2028, with a registered capital of 200 million baht. Cargo operations are set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2024.
- Asia Atlantic Airlines Co Ltd: Permitted to operate scheduled flights until August 28, 2028, with a registered capital of 249 million baht.
- P80 Air Co Ltd: Permitted to operate scheduled and non-scheduled flights until August 30, 2028, with a registered capital of 300 million baht. P80 Air plans to commence flights to China in the third quarter of this year with four B737-800 NG aircraft.
The introduction of these new airlines, coupled with the recovery of existing carriers, positions Thailand’s aviation industry for robust growth in the coming years.