Bangkok Airways Airbus A319 lands at Surat Thani - Samui | Image: Yochai Mossi - airliners.net |
Bangkok Airways has evolved from an air charter service company “Sahakol Air,” established in 1968 to become Thailand’s first privately-owned regularly scheduled carrier hosting millions of visitors a year. Initially the airline operated a two-engine, 9-seater “Trade Wind” aircraft serving companies involved in oil and natural gas exploration in the Gulf of Thailand. However, in step with the rapid growth of tourism and business investments in Thailand, the airline had the opportunity to participate in that growth and provide valuable services in support of the expanding infrastructure and the increasing demand in tourist traffic volume.
In 1986, the company became Bangkok Airways offering regularly scheduled flights to Krabi, Korat and Surin. Currently, Bangkok Airways has permits to operate scheduled flights over 20 major routes covering nearly all major resort destinations in Thailand. The company has expanded its existing international routes to include Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Maldives.
In order to provide tourist access to Thailand’s vast variety of enticing beaches, islands and remote shangri-la’s, the airline has diligently invested in building and maintaining its own privately-operated airports at Samui, Sukhothai and Trat. New schedules just announced has increased daily flights from Bangkok to Phuket, Phnom Penh, Male and Yangon.
About Bangkok Airways:
Bangkok Airways became Thailand’s first privately owned airline in 1986 when they began regularly scheduled flights from Bangkok to Krabi, Korat and Surin. Presently the airline has obtained permits to operate flights over 20 different major routes covering nearly all major resort destinations in Thailand.
Bangkok Airways Equipment: The Bangkok Airways fleet is composed of five Airbus A320s, four Boeing 717-200s and eight ATR72-500s…17 aircraft in total.
Bangkok Airways Route Overview: Bangkok Airways is based in Bangkok, Thailand and flies to:
Asia: Luang Prabang, Seim Reap, Phnom Penh, Maldives, Hong Kong, Pakse and Singapore
Thailand Domestic: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Lampang, Phuket, Krabi, Sukhothai and Trat