PB Air leases aircraft and plans more routes

PB Air take delivery of two new aircraft — one at the end of September and the other a month later. It will also consider services to Surin, Northeast Thailand and Chumporn, the gateway to the South, later in the year, possibly using the latest aircraft additions.

The two new aircraft are 33-seat Saab-340s, leased for five-years from AeroCentury in California. They are Swedish-built, twin-engine turboprop aircraft.

The airline will also extend its lease agreement on two 70-seat ATR72-500s with Bangkok Airways.

PB Air director, Office of the CEO, Heribert Gakksch, said when the economy recovers, the ATRs would be deployed on trunk routes such as Lampang, Nakhon Phnom and Sakhon Nakhorn, while the Saabs would serve low-density routes.

“Yes, we are preparing to launch services to Chumporn and Surin, but we have not fixed a launch date as yet. We are working on documentation and fleet acquisition. However, they should commence before the end of the year,” said Mr Gaksch.

Four flights a week are planned for Chumphon, and three to Surin.

At the moment, the airline’s trunk routes — Lampang, Nan, Nakhon Phnom and Sakhon Nakhorn operate with an average cabin factor of 65% and Mr Gaksch expects an improvement during the up-coming high season.