Pattaya —
Pattaya Airways announced plans to expand its fleet with two ATR 72-500 freighter aircraft, in a move to reap benefits from the growing demand for air cargo services in the ASEAN region.
Mr. Tosaporn Asunee, Chairman of the PATTAYA Group, shared that the ATR 72-500 freighter is a versatile aircraft capable of carrying various types of cargo, such as agricultural products, food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. With a maximum payload of 8 tons and a range of 900 nautical miles (1,666.8 kilometers), the aircraft is well-suited for short-haul cargo operations within Southeast Asia.
Pattaya Airways is scheduled to put the second ATR 72-500 freighter into service in May 2024. This will bring the airline’s fleet to two aircraft by the end of the year. The airline also plans to further expand its fleet to five aircraft by 2028.
“Pattaya Airways is committed to providing the most modern and efficient air cargo services in ASEAN,” said Mr. Tosaporn. “By expanding our fleet with ATR 72-500 freighter aircraft, we will be able to meet the rising needs of our customers and expand our cargo network to countries throughout the region.”
According to Mr. Nat Bunyawitkanon, CEO of PATTAYA Group, Pattaya Airways has already obtained the Air Operating License (AOL) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. It is currently in the process of applying for the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), with expectations to begin commercial operations in August 2024.
“We will initially focus on serving B2B customers,” said Mr. Nat. “We are also exploring opportunities to partner with e-commerce platforms and logistics providers to expand our reach.”
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