Air Andaman set to take off again in Q1

[William]

AVIATION

Air Andaman set to take off again in Q1

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
The defunct carrier Air Andaman is expected to return to the skies in the first quarter of next year, following the completion of a court-supervised debt restructuring plan and fresh capital injection by a local businessman.

The revival of the privately-owned airline, grounded since February 2004 after accruing losses of 439.7 million baht, has been made possible by a rescue bid launched by Jak Chamikorn, a former adviser to the local TV production house Brave Heart International Plc.

As part of the Central Bankruptcy Court's plan, Mr Jak, 34, has stepped in by acquiring 99.88% of Air Andaman Co by raising the registered capital of the airline to 206.5 million baht.

Under the business rehabilitation process, the airline's registered capital was reduced to 145,000 baht from 145 million baht.

The airline's previous major shareholders were Atichart Athakravi and Prathip Boonprasom.

A company executive said yesterday that the new management, chaired by Gen Paibul Aim-pan, planned to resume operations on 12 secondary and feeder routes in the country.

It plans to make use of its two remaining small turboprop-powered aircraft Fokker 50s, which have been parked at Don Muang airport since being grounded three years ago.

The two aircraft, each capable of seating 58 passengers, will undergo maintenance ahead of the re-launch. In its heyday, Air Andaman had three Fokker F50s based in Bangkok and two BAe Jetstream 31s stationed in Chiang Mai.

The company is also negotiating with potential partners to help run the airline.

An official announcement regarding Air Andaman's revival would be made early next month at a press conference, according to a company executive.

However, the airline expects to position itself as an ''alternative'' carrier to full-service and budget airlines.

Air Andaman first started operations on Oct 29, 2000. The entry of low-cost carriers into the Thai skies in 2003, the revocation of minimum airfare rates, higher costs and lower-than-expected passenger numbers resulted in mounting losses for Air Andaman.
The airline ceased operation in February 2004.

source: Bangkok Post : Business news

[Bobcock]

Years after i needed them.....

Only people to ever fly HKT - NST....used to be a necessity for me

[MeMock]

Where did they use to fly?

[Bobcock]

HKT - NST was the only route I was familiar with, can't remember the others, HKT to Trang may have been one

[MeMock]

HKT = Hong Kong???

NST = ???

[Bobcock]

Oh....

HKT Phuket
NST Nakhon Sri Thammarat

[MeMock]

Oh...

I can understand NST but where the hell does Phuket come from HKT?

[klongmaster]

here's a linky to all of Thailand's airports and their codes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ts_in_Thailand

[Thetyim]

Where did they use to fly?

They used to fly to Phrae.

When they went bust in 2004 we had no flights into Phrae and still have no flights.
So in their wisdom they built a new terminal building.
There is still a full time staffed ATC, security, fire brigade and baggage
handlers just no airplanes for 3 years. TiT

[klongmaster]

recognise this then?...

[Dean]

I hope that picture wasn't taken from a side window

[Thetyim]

recognise this then?...

Yes, I know where that is.

Easy to guess though as it's the only airport with no airplanes

[MeMock]

It's a short runway!

[klongmaster]

about as short as this one...

[Thetyim]

It's a short runway!

1500 x 30 metres.