PBair

PBair was a Thai passenger airline founded in 1990 by Piya Bhirom Bhakdi, president of Boon Rawd Brewery. The carrier began as an internal aviation operation serving brewery personnel rather than as a conventional public airline. Its original role was to provide transportation for staff connected with Thailand’s largest brewery, but the business later expanded toward commercial air transport. The airline received authorization to conduct charter flights in 1995 and began operating those services in 1997. In February 1999, PBair moved into scheduled passenger operations. It worked in an alliance environment with Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and Air Andaman, and later maintained a codeshare relationship with Thai Airways International on a number of domestic routes. Its primary base was Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, although its historical network also included Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport and numerous provincial destinations. PBair’s domestic network covered a broad selection of Thai cities, including Buriram, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Ko Samui, Krabi, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Phitsanulok, Phuket, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Surat Thani, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani. Several routes were operated under codeshare arrangements with Thai Airways International. The carrier also served Da Nang in Vietnam from 2007 to 2009, giving it a limited international presence. Over its operating life, PBair used a mixed fleet that included ATR 72-500 turboprops leased from Bangkok Airways, Embraer ERJ 145 LR regional jets, Fokker F28-4000 aircraft, a Dornier 328 and a Boeing 767-300. The fleet history reflects the airline’s combination of regional domestic flying, charter activity and scheduled passenger services, although the available reference material does not establish how long each aircraft type remained in service or the precise routes assigned to each type. PBair’s commercial operation was ultimately unsustainable. In November 2009, the airline suspended all flights until further notice. In December, its owner announced that the company would close permanently rather than resume operations, citing substantial losses. The closure was formalized with the relevant authorities on 21 December 2009. PBair therefore ended its 19-year existence as a defunct Thai airline, with no evidence in the supplied sources of a subsequent relaunch, acquisition or successor operating under the same brand.

PBair was established in Thailand in 1990 by Piya Bhirom Bhakdi, who was president of Boon Rawd Brewery. Its first role was narrow and corporate: the airline was used to transport brewery employees. This origin distinguished PBair from airlines created primarily to serve a public scheduled network, and the company initially operated as an aviation resource for its associated business rather than as a fully developed passenger carrier. The company expanded beyond internal transportation during the 1990s. In 1995 it obtained a license for charter operations, and it began flying charter services in 1997. This period provided the bridge between its corporate beginnings and its later commercial identity. In February 1999, PBair commenced scheduled passenger flights. It operated within a cooperative airline environment, forming alliances with Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and Air Andaman. Thai Airways International later became particularly important to PBair’s domestic distribution, with codeshare services covering several destinations. PBair’s principal base was Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Its historical network included Bangkok as well as a wide range of regional and provincial airports throughout Thailand. Destinations listed in the airline’s operating history included Buriram, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Ko Samui, Krabi, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Phitsanulok, Phuket, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Surat Thani, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani. The network combined direct PBair services with routes marketed or operated through codeshare arrangements, particularly those involving Thai Airways International. PBair also operated an international route to Da Nang, Vietnam, from 2007 until 2009. The airline used several aircraft families during its existence. Its recorded fleet included two ATR 72-500 aircraft leased from Bangkok Airways, two Embraer ERJ 145 LR regional jets, three Fokker F28-4000 aircraft, one Dornier 328 and one Boeing 767-300. The range of aircraft types indicates that PBair handled both regional flying and broader passenger or charter requirements, although the available source does not provide a complete aircraft-by-year deployment record. After approximately nineteen years of activity, PBair encountered severe financial difficulties. In November 2009 it suspended all flights and stated that operations were halted until further notice. The suspension did not lead to a restart. In December 2009, the owner announced that the airline would close permanently because of substantial losses. The shutdown was completed with the authorities on 21 December 2009. PBair consequently became a defunct Thai airline, and the supplied references contain no evidence that its brand, route network or operating certificate was later revived.

• 2009

  Operations suspended and airline closed

  [1]PBairen.wikipedia.org

  All flights were suspended in November. The owner announced permanent closure in December because of heavy losses, and the closure was recorded on 21 December 2009.

• 2007

  Da Nang route added

  [1]PBairen.wikipedia.org

  PBair operated service to Da Nang, Vietnam, from 2007 through 2009.

• 1999

  Scheduled passenger services begin

  [1]PBairen.wikipedia.org

  PBair began scheduled flights in February 1999 while working with Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and Air Andaman.

• 1997

  Charter operations begin

  [1]PBairen.wikipedia.org

  The airline commenced charter operations.

• 1995

  Charter-flight license obtained

  [1]PBairen.wikipedia.org

  PBair received authorization to offer charter flights, moving beyond its original internal corporate role.

• 1990

  PBair is founded

  [1]PBairen.wikipedia.org

  Piya Bhirom Bhakdi founded PBair in connection with Boon Rawd Brewery, initially for the transportation of brewery staff.

A Thai regional and domestic passenger airline that developed from a corporate staff-transport operation into a scheduled carrier serving provincial Thai destinations and a limited international route.

• Passenger aviation · 1999

  Scheduled domestic passenger services

  PBair operated scheduled services linking Bangkok with a broad group of Thai provincial and tourist destinations. The historical network included cities such as Buriram, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Phuket and Udon Thani. Some domestic services were connected with Thai Airways International through codeshare arrangements.

• Charter aviation · 1997

  Charter flights

  Charter flying was PBair's first public commercial service category. After receiving a charter license in 1995, the airline began operating charter flights in 1997, expanding its activities beyond the staff-transport function for which it had originally been established.

• International passenger aviation · 2007

  Da Nang service

  PBair operated an international passenger route to Da Nang, Vietnam, between 2007 and 2009. This was the airline's specifically documented international destination in the supplied reference material.

• 2009

  Permanent shutdown after operating lossesStrategy

  Background

  PBair suspended all flights in November 2009 amid severe financial difficulties.

  Action taken

  In December, the owner decided that the airline would close permanently rather than resume service, citing huge losses. The closure was completed with the authorities on 21 December 2009.

  Aftermath

  PBair ceased to exist as an operating airline and did not restart under the same brand according to the supplied references.

  Losses. (2009)

  Source

• 1999

  Expansion into scheduled passenger aviationStrategy

  Background

  PBair had originated as a staff-transport operation and had already entered charter flying. The company then moved into regular scheduled passenger services.

  Action taken

  The airline started scheduled flights in February 1999 and worked with other carriers, including Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways and Air Andaman.

  Aftermath

  PBair developed a domestic regional network and participated in codeshare services, but the available sources do not quantify the commercial results of the expansion.

  Source

1. 1PBairen.wikipedia.org