Thai business aircraft operator MJets has opened the country's first dedicated fixed-base operation at Bangkok's Don Mueang airport to exploit the growing demand for business aviation throughout the South-East Asian country.
The 186m2 (2,000ft2) executive lounge includes shower facilities, a business centre for passengers and pilots, plus flight planning and pilot briefing facilities. The company's flight dispatch support team is also at the site.
Two hangars, each 1,500m2 (16,150ft2), are being constructed at the city's former international airport. They will offer maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the country's business jets.
"The business jet market in Thailand is growing. In addition to the jets that we have several local tycoons and air charter companies are interested in buying more jets or trading up to a bigger aircraft. A variety of aircraft are being purchased in Thailand," says Navdeepak Vaid, assistant to the MJets managing director.
The company has three aircraft in its fleet - a Cessna Citation CJ3, Cessna Citation X and a Piper Malibu Mirage. All three are available for charter. It has ordered one more aircraft, a Cessna CJ4, which is due for delivery in 2012. MJets also manages an Embraer Legacy 600.
"We are also looking for more aircraft to manage out of Don Mueang," adds Vaid. "We are looking into additional jets to offer medical evacuation services."
MJets also has exclusive rights to ground handling services at Don Mueang and offers ground handling all over the country. It is also keen to set up an FBO in Phuket Island, one of Thailand's premier holiday destinations.
"We are waiting for Airports of Thailand to start a tender and we intend to bid for it," says Vaid. Airports of Thailand is the national airports operator.
He says that demand comes from high-net-worth individuals seeking private and leisure travel around Asia Pacific and multinational companies based in the region. Most of the customers are from Europe, and the USA, but there is a growing market from India, says Vaid.
MJets' owners are William Heinicke, founder and chief executive of Thailand's Minor hospitality and leisure company, and Kirit and Nishita Shah, owners of Precious Shipping.
Source: Flight International
