Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Out there...
    StrontiumDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    BKK
    Posts
    40,030

    Thailand: Second small airline hit by red tape

    Phuket: Second small airline hit by red tape

    Phuket: Second small airline hit by red tape

    BANGKOK: Hundreds of people lured by cheap tickets offered by Thai Regional Airlines (TRA) have been left in limbo after the carrier’s launch of regular services last week was aborted because the airline did not have an operating licence.

    Bangkok Post
    Monday 7 January 2013, 02:24PM



    The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Civil Aviation Department summoned TRA executives for a meeting on how to deal with a case that has reportedly affected more than 500 would-be passengers. The airline was orderdd to reimburse them all.

    OCPB officials said they have not filed charges against the Thai-owned airline for deceiving consumers, as amicable solutions such as booking refunds or finding seats on other airlines could be forthcoming for affected passengers.

    TRA has posted on its website that its services are “temporarily unavailable” until March 31, as its application for a licence to operate scheduled flights is still awaiting consideration by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD).

    The airline said its launch of regular services, initially from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen, will take place on April 1.

    A senior CAD official said that TRA had jumped the gun by selling tickets long before it secured a licence.

    Authorities need more time to consider TRA’s application, which was submitted in September, because issues including the airline’s safety and aircraft maintenance had cropped up, said the official.

    TRA had hoped to get the permit early this month so that it could launch scheduled flights during the festive season.

    Like other start-up airlines in Thailand, TRA was repeatedly warned by the department not to start selling tickets before the permit was granted – a practice that TRA executives have denied.

    But TRA started to offer 5,000 one-way flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Phuket for only B1,000 on its website as far back as October.

    A recent case involving an alleged breach of contract between start-up Thai airline PC Air and passengers called into question the accountability of operators and whether carriers are properly regulated by authorities.

    TRA executives could not be reached for comment, and there was no answer from the airline’s call centre or office.

    The CAD said TRA has sought to change its licence from being an air taxi and charter airline using small aircraft to an operator of scheduled flights.

    It signed a letter of intent with Amico Private Wealth Ltd, a London-based firm with a “financial intermediation” service, to make available two leased Airbus 320 narrow-body jets to kick off its scheduled operations.

    TRA was granted an air taxi licence in January 2011 and operates two Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftains, twin-engine propeller aircraft capable of carrying 8-10 people.

    TRA has told the department it has raised its registered capital to B400 million, twice the minimum required.
    "Slavery is the daughter of darkness; an ignorant people is the blind instrument of its own destruction; ambition and intrigue take advantage of the credulity and inexperience of men who have no political, economic or civil knowledge. They mistake pure illusion for reality, license for freedom, treason for patriotism, vengeance for justice."-Simón Bolívar

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    Mid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    1,411
    Quote Originally Posted by thephuketnews.com
    red tape
    Quote Originally Posted by thephuketnews.com
    the airline did not have an operating licence.

  3. #3
    Banned

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last Online
    03-06-2014 @ 09:01 PM
    Posts
    27,545
    Isn't this the second go-round for Thai Regional Airlines...??

    I recall the same start-up a couple of years ago - TRA promising service to smaller markets [especially throughout Isaan].

    Frankly, I don't know why anyone would bother flying domestically.
    It's become quite embarrassing and a bit of a joke.
    The numerous fly-by-night regional carriers that have come and gone the in the last 10-15 years is reflective of the general unstability of the marketplace.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    chassamui's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Bali
    Posts
    11,678
    Ever tried to read and understand the information contained in the OP before you post your pathetic dribble Jeffrey? Up your game or piss off..

  5. #5
    The Pikey Hunter
    Gerbil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Roasting a Hedgehog
    Posts
    12,355
    Quote Originally Posted by Rural Surin
    Frankly, I don't know why anyone would bother flying domestically.
    That's because you've never even visited here. Twat.

  6. #6
    euston has flown

    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Last Online
    10-06-2016 @ 03:12 AM
    Posts
    6,978
    Quote Originally Posted by Mid View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by thephuketnews.com
    red tape
    Quote Originally Posted by thephuketnews.com
    the airline did not have an operating licence.
    One this we do know from the 1todie crash is that this operating licence issue will have absolutely nothing to do with whether of not the company is competent to operate an airline.

    With all those tickets sold, I hate to imaging how much they have been asked to pony up... Given they decided they cannot afford it
    Teakdoor CSI, TD's best post-reality thinkers

    featuring Prattmaster ENT, Prattmaster Dapper and PrattmasterPseudolus

    Dedicated to uncovering irrational explanations to every event and heroically
    defending them against the onslaught of physics, rational logic and evidence

  7. #7
    Member
    Rocksteady's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Last Online
    26-11-2019 @ 01:41 PM
    Posts
    875
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Rural Surin
    Frankly, I don't know why anyone would bother flying domestically.

    That's because you've never even visited here. Twat.

    Fuck me and he's thrown loads of bombs at my posts and I have lived here full time for 16 yrs!

  8. #8
    euston has flown

    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Last Online
    10-06-2016 @ 03:12 AM
    Posts
    6,978
    Quote Originally Posted by Rural Surin View Post
    Isn't this the second go-round for Thai Regional Airlines...??

    I recall the same start-up a couple of years ago - TRA promising service to smaller markets [especially throughout Isaan].

    Frankly, I don't know why anyone would bother flying domestically.
    It's become quite embarrassing and a bit of a joke.
    The numerous fly-by-night regional carriers that have come and gone the in the last 10-15 years is reflective of the general unstability of the marketplace.
    Lets think, how long does it talk to drive to hat Yao, or Chang Mai? I can tell you from personal experience 2.5 days each way from bkk, witnessing 16.5 dead dogs, 3 car crashes, 2 exploding lorry tyres, 1 crashed bus and some of the most insanely dangerious driving I have ever seen. And from what understand the road to cya ng Mai is much safer than the road to Phuket.

    So yes why would anyone want to fly domestically?

  9. #9
    Member
    Amina's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Last Online
    09-03-2024 @ 01:52 AM
    Location
    Saint Peters, MO - USA
    Posts
    96

    Air Service to Nan (NNT)

    So yes why would anyone want to fly domestically?[/quote]

    Air Service within Thailand is definitely needed to safe time and to move quickly and safely over long distances, thereby avoiding dangerous road traffic and driving conditions.
    I sorely miss PB Airs reliable and comfortable service from BKK to Nan or NNT with their Embaer 145 aircraft.
    Now Kan Air has reduced their daily flights with their Cessna 208 Caravan A/C from Chiang Mai (CNX) to NNT. Don't know why this is happening, because the aircraft were always nearly filled to capacity, and it appears the demand for their service is there!?!?
    Amina

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •