Nok Air (Bangkok) of Thailand has converted two previously booked Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) NextGen aircraft options to firm orders. The options were acquired under a contract announced on November 19, 2013 that also included two firm-ordered aircraft and four purchase rights. At that time, Bombardier also confirmed that Nok Air would be the launch customer for the new extra capacity seating option of the Q400 NextGen turboprop that will allow the aircraft to accommodate up to 86 passengers.
Nok Airlines Public Company Limited (Nok Air) (Bangkok) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) have announced from the Singapore Airshow a commitment to order eight Next-Generation 737-800s and seven 737 MAX 8s. The commitment, valued atย $1.45 billionย at list prices, will establish Nok Air as the first airline inย Thailandย to operate the 737 MAX.
Boeing will work with theย Bangkok-based airline to finalize the details of the agreement, at which time the order will be posted to theย Boeing Orders & Deliveriesย website. Whileย Nok Airย currently operates a fleet of 14 Next-Generation 737s, this will mark the airline’s first direct order with Boeing.
Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-83N HS-DBH (msn 32614) departs from Bangkok (Don Mueang) base.
Nok Air (Nok Airlines Public Company Limited) (Bangkok-Don Mueang) and Scoot (subsidiary of Singapore Airlines) (Singapore) on December 13, 2013 signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to start a new low-fare airline named NokScoot Company Limited. The MOU is subject to final negotiations and approval process.
Nok will hold 51 percent of the shares and Scoot will control the other 49 percent. Nok means “bird” in the Thai language.
The objective of the proposed airline is to operate a low-cost airline with wide-body aircraft on medium and long-hail international routes.
Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Nok Air’s colorful former Ryanair Boeing 737-8AS HS-DBD (msn 33821) arrives at the downtown Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.
Nok Air (see all of the colorful “bird” liveries):ย
Scott:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Micheil Keegan/AirlinersGallery.com. Will the Scoot brand go away of this temporary agreement is finalized? Scoot’sย Boeing 777-212 ER 9V-OTA (msn 28507) rotates at Sydney Mascot.
Current Nok Air routes operated with Boeing 737-800s:
Current Scoot routes operated with Boeing 777-200s. Scoot will soon be adding Boeing 787-9s. Hong Kong was added on November 15, 2013, its 12th destination.
Nok Air (Bangkok) has placed a firm order for two Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400)ย turboprop airliners and has also taken options for two additionalย aircraft, as well as purchase rights on four others. Bombardier also confirmed that Nok Air will be the launch customer for a new extra capacity seating option, which will allow theย Q400 NextGenย aircraft to accommodate up to 86 passengers.
Nok Air (Bangkok-Don Mueang) flight DD 7411 operating from Trang to Bangkok (Don Mueang) veered and skid off the runway on takeoff at Trang Airport on August 6. The 142 passengers and crew members were uninjured. The flight was being operated with former Ryanair Boeing ย 737-8AS HS-DBM (msn 33594, ex EI-DLM). The incident closed the airport.
Nok Air (Bangkok) is getting ready to add up to seven Boeing 737-800s, a type the low fare airline has leased in the past. The new additions are expected to help it retire some of the older Boeing 737 Classics.
Thai Airways International (Bangkok) appears to be hedging all of its bets as it attempts to recapture its former market share especially in the low fare market. According to this article by channelnewsasia.com, Thai is planning to create an ultra low-fare subsidiary in addition to the new Thai Smile (Bangkok) which is due to be launched on regional routes in July 2012. 11 Airbus A320s have been ordered for Thai Smile with the first due in June 2012.
Thai also recently raised its share in low-fare Nok Air (Bangkok) to 49 percent.
Nok Air’s (Bangkok) management is gaining greater control of the airline. Nok Air Management Company (NAM) has been established by the five top executives of the airline led by CEO Patee Sarasin. NAM has reached an agreement to acquire a 25% interest in Nok Air from Dhipaya Insurance Plc (10%), the Government Pension Fund (10%) and Thailand Prosperity Fund managed by ING Funds (Thailand) Co (5%) according to this article by the Bangkok Post.
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