Bangkok Airways is preparing to order up to 30 new aircraft as it updates its older fleet and anticipates a surge in tourists influenced by the TV series “The White Lotus.”
The airline is negotiating with Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer to acquire at least 20 single-aisle aircraft in the coming months, with an option for approximately 10 additional jets, according to CEO Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth.
The company aims to expand its fleet to a minimum of 30 aircraft over the next four to five years, including some leased planes, he noted.
“We need to grow, and a new aircraft fleet is mandatory,” stated Mr. Puttipong in an interview. The company currently operates 25 aircraft, some of which are two decades old.
Bangkok Airways operates flights between Bangkok and key tourist spots like Koh Samui, a location used in the recent season of “The White Lotus” and where the airline owns the airport.
The popular series on the Max streaming service is expected to attract more tourists to Thailand, with the government forecasting a record high of 40 million visitors this year.
Mr. Puttipong reported a 14% rise in early flight bookings for the second quarter, despite it being the off-season for tourism in Thailand.
He anticipates that Bangkok Airways will transport 10% to 20% more passengers than the 2.7 million it served last year on its Koh Samui routes, where it virtually monopolizes flights to the resort destination.
With increased passenger traffic, the airline plans to commence a 1.5-billion-baht upgrade of Samui airport later this year.
The renovation, expected to take three years, will be carried out while the airport remains operational. Bangkok Airways has received authorization to increase its flight frequency to 73 from 50 per day.
Overall, the carrier is poised to serve a record 4.7 million passengers this year, up from 4.3 million in 2024, according to Mr. Puttipong.
