Bangkok Airways (PG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) will wet-lease two Airbus narrowbody aircraft from Amelia (8R, Paris Le Bourget) for the upcoming peak tourist season in Thailand as the airline addresses an aircraft shortage and prepares for fleet replacement decisions.
Starting December 1, 2024, an Amelia A319-100 will operate daily flights between Bangkok and Luang Prabang, as well as twice-daily flights between Bangkok and Siem Reap New Angkor International. Additionally, an Amelia A320-200 will service thrice-daily flights between Bangkok and Phnom Penh. While Amelia’s flight crews will handle operations, some cabin crew from Bangkok Airways will be present to ensure a consistent and smooth in-flight experience.
The A319, registered as F-HDSJ, is an all-economy class aircraft with a capacity of 144 passengers, built in 2008, and will be utilized by Bangkok Airways from December 1, 2024, to March 29, 2025. The A320-200, registered as F-HBNA, can accommodate 178 passengers and was manufactured in 2010, with the same operating dates as the A319.
In June, Bangkok Airways’ network management advisor expressed that the airline’s ability to return to pre-pandemic flying levels was being hampered by a lack of available aircraft, although there was cautious optimism that conditions would improve by early 2025.
Currently, Bangkok Airways operates a fleet of 23 aircraft, including eleven A319-100s, two A320-200s, and ten ATR72-600s, though one A320 and one ATR turboprop are currently in storage. The airline serves 20 airports in Thailand and six additional countries in the region.
Plans for an aircraft order are underway, with the airline considering A220 and Embraer E2 models and preparing to issue a request for proposals by the end of this year, targeting deliveries to begin around 2028. Recently, the CEO confirmed that the airline is nearing a decision regarding the order. A spokesperson from Bangkok Airways was unable to provide further details.
Photo by Alexi Van Damme CEO and Founder AX Media Thailand
