Bangkok Airways to purchase 2 A320s
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Bangkok Airways makes switch to Airbus jets
An artist's impression shows the Airbus A320-200 with Bangkok
Airway's tropical Samui livery. The jets are expected to go into
service on China routes in August.
Carrier in a hurry to reposition itself
Boonsong Kositchotethana
Bangkok Airways, Thailand's largest privately owned carrier, has
decided to buy two Airbus A320-200 airplanes from Europe, worth some
US$110 million (4.3 billion baht), rather than the US-made Boeing 737-
800s as planned earlier as it moves to expand its operations in
Asia's increasingly competitive skies.
The airline has placed the orders, including options for additional
Airbus aircraft, with the European consortium, saying it would have
to wait too long for the Boeing jetliners, which would be delivered
late due to production constraints. As well, executives said they did
not want to miss the business opportunities in the changing market
environment created by the emergence of budget airlines in Asia, and
wanted to gear up for stronger competition from conventional carriers.
Bangkok Airways also wants to use the new Airbus as a physical symbol
of the major changes that will take place this year to mark its 36th
anniversary.
Some of the major changes is the reposiitioning of the airline to
give it a clearer brand presence. It is to become ``Asia's Boutique
Airline'', replacing the age-old ``Tourists' Choice'' slogan.
Specifically, the two new Airbus aircraft, each with 163 seats in one
class, will serve Bangkok Airways' medium-range routes including new
services to Chinese destinations _ Hangzhou, Nanjing and Guangzhou.
The carrier plans to take deliver of the new aircraft in August and
put them on its Chinese services which.currently includes flights to
Guilin, Xian and Jinghong.
The Airbus A320-200 is similar in size and capacity to the Boeing
B737-800 which has seating capacity for 180 and costs about $60
million. The A320-200 costs $55 million. The A320-200 will be the
largest aircraft in the airline's fleet, which now comprises 13
ATR72s and four 120-seat Boeing 717-200s.
Bangkok Airways has emphasised adding new aircraft with current
service ages ranging from three to five years. -
Hmm...nice to see Bangkok Airways getting the new Airbuses
I am sick of seeing too much B737 Second Generation recently 
I find it quite ironical for them to advertise the B717 on so many SBST buses, yet i am always rewarded with the sight of an ATR