Phuket Air (Phuket Airlines Co. Ltd) is an
airline based in
Bangkok,
Thailand. The airline currently specialises in leasing its fleet of Boeing 747 and 737 aircraft on an ACMI (Aircraft, Crews, Maintenance, Insurance) /
wet lease basis to airlines worldwide needing extra passenger capacity. Other services provided include international charter services, ad-hoc wet leasing services, religious pilgrimage charters (
Hajj/
Umrah) and dry lease services.
Saudi Arabian Airlines is a major long term client of Phuket Air. In the past, the airline provided scheduled domestic and international air services. Its main base is at
Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, with a hub at
Phuket International Airport, Phuket. The airline was an international scheduled carrier before it shifted its focus to the ACMI/
wet lease market.
History
The airline was established in
1999 and started operations on December 19, 2001 with two
Boeing 737-200 aircraft bought from
Garuda Indonesia. It is owned and operated by
Vikrom Aisiri and his wife
Angkana Apiwattanaporn. Aisiri is a Thai businessman and senator from
Ranong who also owns the
Andaman Club Hotel & Casino in
Myanmar and a Dusit Island resort hotel in
Chiang Rai Province. Phuket Air flew domestic routes to
Phuket,
Chiang Mai,
Krabi,
Chiang Rai,
Hat Yai,
Ranong and
Mae Sot.
Ranong operations were used by tourists visiting the Andaman Club Hotel & Casino, across the border in
Myanmar.
The...
Read More