Nok Air’s Bangkok domestic routes up to 10 from Don Muang; limited direct competition

Nok Air recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, and yes, the DJ really is the airline’s twittering and squash playing CEO Patee Sarasin. A unique airline like Nok Air is bound to have an unconventional chief executive.

This summer, Bangkok-based Nok Air celebrated its fifth anniversary. The airline operates domestic routes from the ‘old’ Don Muang airport in downtown Bangkok, which was closed between September 2006 and March 2007 as all airlines were initially obliged to relocate to the new Suvarnabhami airport. However, when Don Muang re-opened for non-connecting domestic traffic only, Nok Air returned with its fleet of brightly coloured 737-400s (and single ATR 72). The airline’s biggest shareholder (with 39%) remains Thai Airways.

New distribution method: Nok Air tickets can now also be purchased at SF Cinema City’s 13 branches across Thailand. Celebrating the partnership are Patee Sarasin, CEO of Nok Air, actress Yardthip Rachapan and Suvit Thongrompho, MD SF Cinema City.

Three new routes started this week

This week saw the launch of three new domestic routes from Don Muang to Buriram, Nakorn Phanom and Sakon Nakhon. This raises to 10 the number of domestic routes offered by the airline from the airport. All three of these new routes will be operated by the airline’s sole ATR 72.

Source: OAG Max Online for w/c 7 December 2009

Nok Air only has one competitor at Don Muang. One-Two-GO competes head-to-head with Nok Air on four routes but operates fewer flights. It also serves Chiang Rai, which Nok Air does not.

Mini-hub at Chiang Mai operated by SGA

Nok Air also takes bookings through its website for four additional routes from Chiang Mai, the main gateway to northern Thailand. Daily flights to four regional destinations (Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan and Pai) are operated by SGA Airlines using 12-seat Cessna 208b Grand Caravans.

SGA’s Cessna 208B Grand Caravans share some of Nok Air’s colourful branding. The airline operates four routes from Chiang Mai under the slogan “Air-Link to Charming Places”.