The CEO of the Pattaya Group, owners of Pattaya Airways (VV, Utapao), says the startup intends to start flying in the fourth quarter of 2024.
"We see a rising demand for air transportation services as the post-Covid situation stabilises," Tosaporn Asunee said during a speech at an event in Bangkok last week. "The industry is bouncing back, and the demand is increasing rapidly. Recognising this opportunity for expansion, we decided to venture into the airline business with Pattaya Airways, primarily targeting international customers in the Asian region, with plans to expand into other regions in the foreseeable future."
As previously reported in ch-aviation, Pattaya Airways secured its air operator's license (AOL) in September. The AOL is a precursor to receiving an air operator's certificate. Pattaya intends to dry lease two ATR72-500(F)s for launch, adding three more ATR - Avions de Transport Régional aircraft between 2026-2028 to meet growing demand for e-commerce uplift. To date, the Pattaya Group is best known as a ground-handling business.
