Bangkok Airways is close to deciding whether to acquire Boeing 737s for non-stop flights to China. The privately owned Thai carrier, which operates ATR 72s and Boeing 717s, is considering the lease of two 737s to provide it with longer range equipment, says Bangkok Airways vice-president maintenance and engineering, Marc Kirner.
Bangkok Airways leases 717s from Pembroke Capital and Boeing Capital and has spoken to both about leasing 737s, while also having talks with Boullioun Aviation Services, GE Capital Aviation Services and International Lease Finance, says Kirner. A decision will be made in December whether to acquire two 737s or add another two 717s to its fleet of four.
Bangkok Airways' services from Bangkok to Xian and Jinghong in China stop in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. The aircraft would also fly Bangkok-Phnom Penh and Bangkok-Siem Reap services.
Source: Flight International
