Bangkok Airways launches first Boeing 717s in Asia

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.