Air Andaman

Air Andaman was a Thai regional airline headquartered in Bangkok. It emerged during a period of major change in Thailand's aviation sector, when deregulation and the government's Open Skies policy encouraged the creation of new carriers. The airline was established in 2000 and began flying on 29 October of that year. The carrier initially operated a relatively focused schedule, including domestic services between Bangkok and Phuket and international flights to Singapore. Its business later expanded into a broader regional network. During the 2003–04 period, Air Andaman reportedly served 13 regional destinations from Bangkok and Chiang Mai, making it one of the smaller carriers participating in Thailand's increasingly competitive domestic and short-haul aviation market. Its listed Thai destinations included Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chumphon, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nan, Phrae, Phuket, and Surin. Air Andaman's operating model combined scheduled passenger services with international regional flying and charter activity. Its fleet during 2003–04 consisted of three Fokker 50 turboprop aircraft based in Bangkok and two BAe Jetstream 31 aircraft based in Chiang Mai. The use of turboprops was consistent with the airline's regional role and its service to smaller airports that could not necessarily support the operating economics of larger jet aircraft. The airline did not remain in operation for long. It ceased all operations by the end of 2004. In March 2006, Thailand's Civil Aviation Department announced that it was withdrawing Air Andaman's operating licence, confirming that the carrier was no longer an active airline. Public references do not provide a definitive, detailed account of the commercial, regulatory, or financial reasons for the shutdown. A possible revival was discussed in 2006. Major shareholders Atichart Athakravi and Prathip Boonprasom were associated with a proposed comeback involving German investor Hubert Joseph Trunser and Swiss investor Bernan Luthee. The proposed venture, Asian Aerospace Service, reportedly intended to operate charter flights from Bangkok using two Jetstream aircraft. The available references describe this as a plan rather than a completed relaunch, and Air Andaman did not return to sustained commercial operation.

Air Andaman was established in Thailand in 2000 and began commercial operations on 29 October of that year. Its creation coincided with the liberalization of Thailand's aviation market. The government's Open Skies policy, effective from 1 September 2000, and wider deregulation created opportunities for new airlines to compete with established carriers on domestic and regional routes. The airline was based in Bangkok and used Don Mueang International Airport as its principal hub. It also developed a presence at Chiang Mai International Airport, which served as a focus location for part of its network. Early services included a domestic route linking Bangkok and Phuket and international flights to Singapore. Air Andaman subsequently broadened its scheduled operations and also undertook charter flying. During 2003–04, the carrier operated a network reported to include 13 regional destinations from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The Thai destinations associated with its operations were Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chumphon, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nan, Phrae, Phuket, and Surin. The network combined trunk-city connectivity with service to smaller provincial airports, reflecting the role of regional turboprop carriers in Thailand's domestic aviation system. Its fleet during this period comprised three Fokker 50 aircraft based in Bangkok and two BAe Jetstream 31 aircraft based in Chiang Mai. These aircraft were suited to short-haul passenger operations and smaller airports. Publicly available references do not provide a complete account of Air Andaman's ownership structure, management organization, financial performance, or route-by-route schedule. Air Andaman's operating life was brief. It ceased all operations by the end of 2004. In March 2006, Thailand's Civil Aviation Department stated that it was withdrawing the airline's licence. This regulatory action occurred after the carrier had already stopped flying. The sources available do not establish whether the shutdown resulted primarily from financial difficulties, market competition, regulatory issues, or another cause. A possible revival was discussed in 2006. Major shareholders Atichart Athakravi and Prathip Boonprasom were linked to a proposed joint venture called Asian Aerospace Service, involving German investor Hubert Joseph Trunser and Swiss investor Bernan Luthee. The proposed operation was intended to conduct charter flights from Bangkok using two Jetstream aircraft. The proposal did not result in a documented return to sustained Air Andaman operations in the available sources. Air Andaman is therefore treated as a defunct Thai airline.

• 2006

  Operating licence withdrawal announced

  [1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  Thailand's Civil Aviation Department announced the withdrawal of Air Andaman's licence in March 2006.

• 2004

  Operations end

  [1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  Air Andaman ceased all operations by the end of 2004.

• 2003

  Regional network reaches reported peak

  [1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  During 2003–04, Air Andaman operated a network reported to include 13 regional destinations from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

• 2000

  Air Andaman is established

  [1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  Air Andaman was formed during Thailand's aviation deregulation period and the implementation of the government's Open Skies policy.

• 2000

  Commercial operations begin

  [1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  The airline began operating scheduled services on 29 October 2000.

Defunct Thai regional airline serving domestic, short-haul international, and charter markets.

• Air transportation · 2000

  Scheduled domestic passenger services

  Scheduled domestic flights formed the airline's core business. Air Andaman connected Bangkok with Phuket and served a number of provincial destinations, including Chumphon, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nan, Phrae, and Surin. The service pattern relied on regional turboprop aircraft and included both major-city and smaller-airport connectivity.

• Air transportation

  Regional international passenger services

  Air Andaman supplemented its domestic network with short-haul international flying. Singapore is specifically identified among its international destinations. The available references do not provide enough information to reconstruct the full international schedule or its duration.

• Charter air transportation

  Charter flights

  Charter flying was another part of Air Andaman's business scope. After the airline had ceased regular operations, a proposed 2006 revival under Asian Aerospace Service was intended to focus on charter flights from Bangkok using two Jetstream aircraft. The available sources do not confirm that this proposed operation launched.

• 2006

  Propose a charter-focused relaunchStrategy

  Background

  Following the end of Air Andaman's operations, its major shareholders explored a possible return to aviation with outside investors.

  Action taken

  Atichart Athakravi and Prathip Boonprasom were associated with Asian Aerospace Service, a proposed joint venture involving German and Swiss investors that aimed to operate Bangkok-based charter flights with two Jetstream aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The available references describe a planned comeback but do not document a completed relaunch or a return to sustained commercial operations.

  Source

• 2000

  Enter Thailand's liberalizing regional aviation marketStrategy

  Background

  Thailand's deregulation measures and Open Skies policy created an opportunity for new airlines to compete in domestic and regional markets.

  Action taken

  Air Andaman was established and began scheduled operations with a regional network centered on Bangkok.

  Aftermath

  The airline expanded its network and fleet during the following years but ultimately ceased operations by the end of 2004.

  Source

• 2006

  Thailand moves to withdraw Air Andaman's licence[1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  Thailand's Civil Aviation Department said in March 2006 that it was withdrawing Air Andaman's operating licence after the airline had ceased flying.

• 2006

  Proposed Air Andaman comeback under Asian Aerospace Service[1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Major shareholders were associated with a proposed relaunch involving German and Swiss investors. The proposed venture planned Bangkok-based charter flights with two Jetstream aircraft, but the available record does not establish that the plan became an operating airline.

• 2004

  Air Andaman ceases operations[1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy

  The carrier had stopped all airline operations by the end of 2004.

• 2003

  Air Andaman develops a regional network[1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  By the 2003–04 period, the airline had expanded its schedule to a network of regional destinations served from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

• 2000

  Air Andaman begins scheduled operations[1]Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Air Andaman started operating on 29 October 2000 after being formed during Thailand's post-deregulation aviation expansion.

1. 1Air Andamanen.wikipedia.org