Nok Air fills the gap

Nok Air will step in with three new services to Sakhon Nakhon, Buriram and Nakhon Phanom, commencing 3 December. These destinations were served by PB Air until it suspended operations, after failing to lease suitable aircraft to sustain services during the winter schedule.

The Department of Civil Aviation asked Thai Airways International and Nok Air to fill the gap in the domestic network.

Nok Air vice president, marketing, Pinyot Pibulsonggram, said: “Nok Air and THAI are co-operating in this venture to ensure local tourism is not affected after PB Air suspended it services.”

Initially, the flight schedule runs only until the end of February, but Mr Pinyot clarified that this was only to comply with the initial lease agreement signed with THAI.

To operate the routes, Nok Air will wet lease one of THAI’s two 66-seat ATR-72s, with cabin crew and pilots, while ground handling, bookings, sales and marketing will be supplied by Nok Air.

It is still not known if Nok Air will ultimately take over the routes, but Mr Pinyot gave a strong hint that the airline might be reluctant to step back after investing in the routes.

“We have to invest heavily and already have a long-term plan in place for these routes. However, I admit if PB Air does come back, these markets are too small for two airlines to operate profitably.”

PB Air director, Office of the CEO, Heribert Gaksch, told TTR Weekly in a separate interview that the airline was striving to find aircraft so it could resume services.

“I’m happy with this temporary solution though (Nok Air operating some routes) because there are people who have been inconvenienced by the decision to end services.

“We want to resume operations. However, I cannot say anything  at the moment. There will be a meeting of the board and management on this subject very soon.”

Nok Air will operate Buriram twice a week, Monday and Thursday, while Sakhon Nakhon gets a Monday, Friday and Sunday service and Buriram Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

To promote the route, a promotional fare has been set at Bt2,490, all inclusive for two passengers, per sector. Booking can be made online at http://www.nokair.com or www.nokfanclub.com, until 15 December, while travel is allowed between 3 and 18 December.