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Bangkok
Airways has taken delivery of the Asian region’s first Boeing 717-200
jet aircraft. The 120 seater jet aircraft will start serving Bangkok
Airways’ two routes to Cambodia from mid-November.
Bangkok Airways leases the Boeing 717 from Pembroke Capital Ltd, . The
airline has immediate plans to introduce two Boeing 717-200s. The first
will serve the airline’s Bangkok-Phnom Penh and Bangkok-Siem Reap
(Angkor Wat) routes while a second aircraft will arrive in April 2001.
Mr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, President and CEO of Bangkok Airways ,
revealed that: “The new Boeing 717 jets are being introduced as a key
part of our business plan for 2001, which emphasises technological
advancement and service upgrading. In terms of technology, the Boeing
717 is noted as a particularly effective regional jet with outstanding
operational characteristics. From a service point of view, it provides
greater passenger comfort by offering more space, cutting travel time,
and allowing us to offer a wider range of in-flight services.”
The Boeing 717 is made by Boeing Company, in the United States. Two
advanced Rolls-Royce BR715 high bypass ratio engines rated at 21,000
pounds of take-off thrust power the aircraft. “By selecting the Boeing
717,Bangkok Airways and its customers will have advantages of flying the
most environmentally friendly aircraft in its class.It twin Rolls-Royce
BR715 engines make it the cleanest and quietest airliner in the 100-seat
market” explained Mr. Steve Miller, Regional Executive for Rolls-Royce
Thailand. He added that “As part of its comprehensive range of services,
Rolls-Royce will provide Bangkok Airways with full customer support
package including maintenance and training”
In addition to overall service improvements, the new Boeing 717-200 jets
will also support Bangkok Airways’ future development by promoting the
resort island of Samui in its livery. The aircraft is decorated with an
eye-catching freeze of Samui, including high visibility depictions of
the island’s renowned beaches and gently swaying coconut palms. The
public relations campaign accompanying the launch of the new aircraft
uses “An Island in the Sky” as its slogan, thereby echoing the concept
of Bangkok Airways’ Boeing 717 flights being part of the holiday.
In addition to the Boeing 717-200, the Bangkok Airways fleet also
includes nine 70-seater ATR twin-prop aircraft serving such routes as
Bangkok-Samui, Samui-Phuket, Samui-Singapore, Bangkok-Sukhothai,
Sukhothai-Chiang Mai, and others. |
