Published on January 13, 2006
JV to operate 3 more routes later
Sky Star Airways, a new Thai-South Korean joint-venture airline, will begin regular service between the two countries in March.
The airline is set to take advantage of liberal air agreements between the countries. The airline opened an office in Thailand last year in preparation for its first route, Bangkok to Inchon. At least three more routes are planned for the future: Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Inchon and Bangkok-Busan. “The airline is aiming at attracting both tourists and business travellers, but with a particular focus on tour groups. Initially, we’ll lease two B767 aircraft from United Airlines, which has 217 economy seats and 13 business seats. We plan to operate a daily flight and a charter service between Bangkok and Inchon,” said an airline source. However, the airline has already flown some passengers to South Korea with aircraft rented from private Thai operator PB Air. The airline is training 40 cabin crew and 10 cockpit personnel. The airline was registered with the Business Development Department last May under the name Sky Star Airways Co, declaring a registered capital of Bt400 million. Two Thai individuals were listed as owning 51 per cent, with the other 49 per cent held by the proprietors of major South Korean tour operator ATA Tour. The airline’s top management consists of managing director Kumki Lee, general director Patanapong Chivongsa and executive director of finance and accounting Atiht Kittivongsiri. The airline has not yet obtained a commercial licence from the Civil Aviation Department, but expects to do so this month. Currently, five airlines offer services between Bangkok and Inchon. Asiana Airlines has a daily flight on a 405-seat B747 aircraft for Bt20,200 return. Thai Airways International operates three flights daily on a 358-seat B777 and a 338-seat B773 aircraft for Bt21,200 return. Korean Air operates two flights daily using a 358-seat B777 and 405-seat B747 aircraft for Bt20,100 return. Thai Sky Airline has three weekly flights on a 343-seat L10-11 aircraft for Bt16,500 return, and Orient Thai Airlines offers a daily flight on a 405-seat B747 for Bt13,790 return. Suchat Sritama The Nation
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