Over the past half century,Thailand has seen at least 123 airlines being formed. Not all have survived. Others have been spectacularly successful.
Maxmilian Wechsler reports on the amazing and little known history of this nation’s civil aviation industry
Maxmilian Wechsler reports on the amazing and little known history of this nation’s civil aviation industry
OPERATING even a small airline is an extremely costly undertaking, starting with the acquisition of aircraft, hiring qualified personnel, especially pilots, and obtaining all the necessary certifications and documents.
Thus, it might surprise a lot of people to learn that at least 79 civilian airlines have been launched in Thailand over the past 50 years. They include scheduled, charter, private and cargo carriers. Some took off without a hitch and continue to fly under their original logo, while others survived after mergers and name changes. Still others folded after a short run, and at least 44 airlines were announced but never actually got off the ground.
Like all industries, civil aviation in Thailand has had its ups and downs. There have been accidents resulting in fatalities of passengers and crew, as well as near misses in which only expensive equipment was lost. In the past three years a number of Thai airlines were temporarily banned or faced certain restrictions in foreign countries, mainly because of safety issues. This prompted a severe scolding of the nation’s airlines by the authorities.
Thus, it might surprise a lot of people to learn that at least 79 civilian airlines have been launched in Thailand over the past 50 years. They include scheduled, charter, private and cargo carriers. Some took off without a hitch and continue to fly under their original logo, while others survived after mergers and name changes. Still others folded after a short run, and at least 44 airlines were announced but never actually got off the ground.
Like all industries, civil aviation in Thailand has had its ups and downs. There have been accidents resulting in fatalities of passengers and crew, as well as near misses in which only expensive equipment was lost. In the past three years a number of Thai airlines were temporarily banned or faced certain restrictions in foreign countries, mainly because of safety issues. This prompted a severe scolding of the nation’s airlines by the authorities.
On a more positive note, the Thai aviation industry on the whole can claim a very good safety record, and air travelers worldwide associate it with excellent service. At the prestigious Skytrax world airlines awards 2018, Thai airways won three awards and Bangkok airways took home two awards.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THAI AIRLINES FORMED SINCE 1968 THAT ARE NOW OR WERE FORMERLY OPERATIONAL:
 | 1968 → Bangkok Airways Genealogy: Krungthep Sahakol Company Limited > Sahakol Air > Bangkok Airways. 1969 → 1973 Airservices 1969 → 1974 Bira Air Transport |  | 1988 → Thai Airways International (Thai Airways or THAI) Thai Airways Company or Thai Airways (TAC) merged with Thai Airways International on April 1, 1988. |
 | 1969 → 1976 Air Siam Genealogy: Varan Air-Siam > Air Siam. |  | 1990 → 2009 PBair |
 | 1969 → 1984 Sky of Siam 1976 → 1976 Avia -Thai International |  | 1990 → SFS Aviation Genealogy: Si Chang Flying Services > SFS Aviation. |
 | 1978 → Thai Flying Services |  | 1995 → 2008 Sky Eyes Airways |
 | 1979 → 1980 Erewan Air |  | 1995 → 2018 Orient Thai Airlines Genealogy: Cambodian International Airline > Orient Express Air > Orient Thai Airlines. |
 | 1986 → Air People International |  | 1995 → MJets Genealogy: Minor Aviation > MJets |
 | 1987 → Thai Aviation Services 1987 → 1993 Tropical Sea Air 1988 → 1988 Brom Air 1999 → 1999 Siam International Aviatio |  | 1996 → 1996 Princess Airlines 1998 → 2003 Angel Air |
 | 1999 → 2012 Phuket Air |  | 2004 → ?? JetGo International The airline is reportedly out of business. |
 | 2000 → 2004 Air Andaman |  | 2004 → Nok Air Genealogy: SkyAsia > Nok Air Thai Airways is the second-largest shareholder in Nok Air. |
 | 2002 → 2014 SGA Airlines (Siam General Aviation Co., Ltd.) The airline previously operated as an arm for Nok Air under the brand Nok Mini. The company ended their partnership in 2014. |  | 2005 → 2009 SkyStar Airways |
 | 2002 → 2014 Nok Mini Siam General Aviation Co., Ltd. previously operated as an arm for Nok Air under the brand Nok Mini. The company ended their partnership in 2014. |  | 2005 → Bangkok Helicopter Services |
 | 2003 → 2004 Thai Pacific Airlines |  | 2005 → Fun Flying Thai Air Service |
 | 2003 → 2004 ThaiJet Airways |  | 2006 → 2008 Thai Global Air |
 | 2003 → 2006 Jet Asia 2003 → 2010 One-To-GO Airlines The airline integrated into Orient Thai Airlines in 2010. |  | 2006 → 2008 Coco Seaplane |
 | 2003 → Thai AirAsia |  | 2006 → K-Mile Air 2007 → Thai Platinum International Airlines Genealogy: Blue Sorakom >Thai Platinum International Airlines. According to official the airline, formed in 2017, should be flying in 2019. 2007 → 2008 Thai Global Airlines |
 | 2004 → 2005 Flyhy Cargo Airlines |  | 2007 → 2009 Destination Air Shuttle |
 | 2004 → 2006 Thai Air Cargo |  | 2007 → 2009 Air Phoenix |
 | 2004 → 2006 Thai Sky Airlines |  | 2007 → Heliluck Aviation Services |
 | 2004 → 2010 Solar Air A relaunch is planned. |  | 2008 → 2015 Intira Airline Genealogy: Business Air > Intira Airlines. |
 | 2004 → OrientSKYs Genealogy: XJET Limited > OrientSKYs. |  | 2008 → VIP Jets |
 | 2009 → 2014 U Airlines Genealogy: Crystal Thai Airlines > U Airlines. |  | 2009 → 2015 Happy Air |
 | 2009 → 2015 Legacy Air |  | 2009 → 2018 Jet Asia Airways The airline is reportedly restarting |
 | 2010 → 2012 P.C. Air |  | 2010 → 2012 Sunny Airway |
 | 2010 → 2017 Siam Air The airline is reportedly restarting. |  | 2011 → 2012* Thai Regional Airlines |
 | 2011 → 2016 City Airways |  | 2011 → Thai Smile Airways Genealogy: Thai Wings > Thai Smile Airways. The airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thai Airways. |
 | 2011 → Advance Aviation Jet |  | 2012 → 2018 Asia Atlantic Airlines Genealogy: Asia Pacific Airlines > Asia Atlantic Airlines. The airline is reportedly restarting. |
 | 2011 → South Wings (Thailand) |  | 2012 → 2018 R Airlines The airline is legally incorporated into Skyway Airways Co., Ltd. |
 | 2012 → ?? Jaras Aviation | 2014 → ?? JetGo International The airline is reportedly out of business. |
 | 2012 → NewGen Airways New Gen Airways is a trading name for NewGen Airways Co., Ltd., formerly Sabaidee Airways Co., Ltd. |  | 2014 → Thai VietJet Air |
 | 2013 → 2017 Kan Air |  | 2014 → Thai AirAsia X |
 | 2013 → 2018 Thai Express Air The airline is reportedly restarting. |  | 2014 → United Offshore Aviation |
 | 2013 → Asian Air |  | 2014 → NokScott |
 | 2013 → Thai Lion Air |  | 2016 → Bangkok Jets The airline is operated by AC Aviation Co., Ltd. |
 | 2013 → Budget Lines |  | 2017 → Wisdom Airways |
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Skytrax Awards 2018
THE national carrier Thai Airways received three prestigious awards at the Skytrax 2018 World Airline Awards held at The Langham Hotel in London on July 17. Skytrax is a United Kingdom-based consultancy which runs an airline and airport review and ranking site. The World Airline Awards were initiated in 1999 to recognize leaders in Skytrax’ annual worldwide airline customer satisfaction survey. This year’s awards are based on the results of a survey conducted between August 2017 and May 2018, with responses from more than 20 million participants who flew with 335 airlines in total. The survey evaluates product standards and various airline services, starting with check-in at the airport. The majority of questions address inflight services, including cabin and seat comfort, crew service, meals and entertainment. |
THAI was awarded World’s Best Economy Class Airline title and World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering for the second year in a row, and the Royal Orchid Spa at Suvarnabhumi Airport was named Word’s Best Airline Lounge Spa for the fourth consecutive year. THAI is ranked by Skytrax as the tenth Best Airline in the World, and received Skytrax awards for Best Cabin Crew in Thailand and Best Economy Class in Asia. THAI also got some very good scores in other categories.
Bangkok Airways won two Skytrax awards for World’s Best Regional Airline and Best Regional Airline in Asia. The airline scored well in several other categories and was ranked 21st in the 100 World’s Best Airlines. Both airlines were represented in London by executives who collected the awards.
Bangkok Airways won two Skytrax awards for World’s Best Regional Airline and Best Regional Airline in Asia. The airline scored well in several other categories and was ranked 21st in the 100 World’s Best Airlines. Both airlines were represented in London by executives who collected the awards.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THAI AIRLINES FORMED SINCE 1968 THAT NEVER TOOK OFF:
| 2004 → Sukhothai Airways 2004 → Onyx Airlines 2006 → Chiang Mai Airways 2006 → Sabai Airline (Spark Air) 2006 → Eagle Air 2006 → Euarng Luang 2006 → Global International 2006 → Siam Express Airways 2006 → Phetchabun Airlines 2007 → Neo Siam Airways 2007 → Holiday Airlines 2007 → Royal Orchid Airlines 2007 → Sawasdee Airways 2007 → Southern Airways 2007 → Sun Freight Logistic 2007 → Thai Star Airlines *Star symbol indicates the year is uncertain | 2008 → Siam World Airways 2008 → T.A.G. Airlines Co. 2009 → Aero Pro 2009 → Asia Budget Air 2009 → Krabi Airlines 2010 → Quality Airways 2011 → Asia Majestic Airlines 2011 → Thai Lite 2011 → AVA Airlines (Asia Valued Airlines) 2011 → Thai Tiger Airways 2011 → King Sky Diamond Airline 2011 → Nakhon Chiangmai Air 2012 → Chaba Airlines (Siam Global Air) 2012 → Infinity Airlines (Infinity Asia Airlines) 2012 → Journey Jet 2012 → Mastertech Airline | 2013 → Nine Star Airways 2014 → Olympic Aviation Services 2014 → SEA Aviation 2014 → Azur Helicopter (Thailand) 2014 → Asia Connect Airlines 2014 → Thai Tour & Trans Airways 2014 → Air Inter Transport Co. 2014 → Air Singhara 2014 → SiamJet Airlines 2015 → Skylar Airways 2015 → Small Planet Airlines Thailand 2015 → National Air Charter |
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