LEITHEN FRANCIS / SINGAPORE
New international carrier to launch scheduled passenger flights between Bangkok and Sydney with Kuwait Airways 747-200
A new Thailand-based international carrier plans to launch scheduled passenger flights on 1 October between Bangkok and Sydney. Thai Pacific Airlines will operate a Boeing 747-200 leased from Kuwait Airways. Thailand's ministry of transport has granted an airline business licence to the carrier, which is owned by Dr Vasan Singhamany - an aviation novice who made his money from Bangkok medical clinics. He is using his own cash to launch the airline, with financial backing from US individuals.
Thai Pacific is applying for an air operator's certificate from the Thai directorate general of air communication, and needs to be allocated traffic rights by Thailand's Air transport regulatory bureau. It wants to operate Bangkok-Sydney and Bangkok-Seoul non-stop, and Bangkok-Osaka-Honolulu.
Unlike Singhamany, Thai Pacific managing director Sawanit Singtoroj has airline experience, having previously been Thailand general manager at Delta Air Lines. She says Thai Pacific plans to take delivery of the first 747-200 next month, with the second likely to follow in October. Both 370-seat aircraft will be on three-year leases from Kuwait Airways.
Source: Flight International
