Latest news with #BangkokAirways
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Airbus eyes making Thailand Asia-Pacific aviation hub with new operations centre
BANGKOK: Anand Stanley (pic), President of Airbus for the Asia-Pacific region, announced that Thailand is emerging as a global leader in aviation, with rapid growth in the aviation industry, aviation technology, and aircraft orders. Airbus sees Thailand not just as a hub for Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services but as a significant centRE for advanced technology and engineering within the region's aviation sector. Stanley pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing aviation market in the world, and Airbus forecasts a demand for about 20,000 new aircraft in the region over the next 20 years, accounting for half of the global aircraft demand. Thailand is identified as one of the largest markets within this growth, he said. 'This year, we expect to deliver a total of 820 aircraft globally, with the majority of orders coming from the Asia-Pacific region,' he said. 'In Thailand, Airbus aircraft are operated by Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, and Thai VietJet. Soon, Thai Airways will be launching its A321neo aircraft, featuring a new business-class seating configuration by the end of this year.' Stanley further emphasised that Airbus is committed to supporting Thailand's aviation industry, contributing to the country's economic development. The aviation sector in Thailand plays a key role in employment, with over 130,000 jobs and contributing over seven per cent to the country's GDP before the Covid-19 pandemic. Thailand is also recognised as a leader in sustainability in the region. Additionally, Airbus believes Thailand has the potential to produce more than five million tonnes of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) annually. The country's agricultural sector, which can provide excellent raw materials for SAF production—such as molasses, rice straw, corn stalks, and animal waste—aligns with Airbus's commitment to working with the Thai government and SAF producers to promote sustainable aviation fuel production. To further underscore its commitment to Thailand, Airbus has invested in a new 1,200-square-metre office in the country, which also houses NAVBLUE, Airbus's digital aviation operations unit. The new office will serve as a testing and verification centre for software solutions before delivery to global airline customers. It will also function as a regional operations hub to support and assist aircraft customers across the Asia-Pacific region in real time. - The Nation/ANN
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Thailand authorities end search operation at Bangkok skyscraper after earthquake
Thai authorities on Tuesday officially ended the search operation at the building under construction in the capital, Bangkok, that collapsed following an earthquake that killed dozens over a month ago. The 7.7 magnitude quake on March 28 centred in Myanmar, more than 800 miles (1,200 kilometres) away, killed at least 96 people in Bangkok, mostly at the collapsed site. More than 3,000 were killed in Myanmar. Also Read: From 'White Lotus' to white sands: Bangkok Airways expands for tourist influx Eighty-nine bodies have been retrieved from the rubble while seven people remain unaccounted for at the site, officials said. They said they would continue to test hundreds of pieces of human remains to identify those still missing. The collapse sparked questions about the enforcement of construction safety and corruption. The high-rise building, meant to be the new office of the State Audit Office, was the only building that suffered a total collapse that day. Also Read: Bangkok skyscraper collapse probe takes major turn as Thailand officials find 'something suspicious' The police on Tuesday said they are still investigating and will continue to collect evidence from the collapse site until the end of this month. Authorities are probing several companies and individuals for any wrongdoing in relation to the collapse, including the state-run Chinese contractor, China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group. The investigation has led to the arrest of its Chinese executive in Thailand, identified as Zhang, and three Thai shareholders on suspicion of operating the business through the use of nominees. Also Read: Delay, sub-standard steel: Concerns raised on Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed Foreigners can operate a business in Thailand, but it must be a joint venture with a Thai partner, and they cannot own more than 49 per cent to protect local competitiveness. Another Thai-Chinese company, Xin Ke Yuan Steel, also came under scrutiny over the quality of the steel rods provided for the building. Industry Minister Akanat Promphan said two types of steel rods found at the collapse site did not pass safety standards and that Xin Ke Yuan supplied both. The company has denied any wrongdoing.
Daily Tribune
05-03-2025
- Daily Tribune
Thai airline halts some domestic flights because of air pollution
Thailand's Bangkok Airways has announced the suspension of flights between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son in the north due to hazardous air pollution and poor visibility. The disruption will last for more than a month, from March 15 to April 20, as smog levels in the region are expected to make landings unsafe. The suspension comes as air pollution spikes across northern Thailand during the dry season, particularly between December and April, when farmers burn crop stubble in preparation for the next planting season. Bangkok Airways confirmed that the pollution, which caused similar issues last year, was too severe to allow safe flight operations. An airline official from Mae Hong Son airport explained that the thick smog would impair visibility, making it dangerous for planes to land. The Mae Hong Son airport authority posted on Facebook, warning that smog was affecting both visibility and safety. According to IQ Air data, the air quality index in Mae Hong Son was 7.9 times worse than the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization. Air pollution in Thailand has become an increasing concern, causing millions to seek medical treatment each year. The Thai government recently implemented a ban on crop burning, with violators facing fines and legal action, though the impact of these measures remains unclear. In response to the suspension, the Department of National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has been ordered to provide updates on the situation to help restore confidence among business operators.
Al Arabiya
05-03-2025
- Al Arabiya
Thai airline halts some domestic flights due to air pollution
One of Thailand's main airlines is suspending flights between Bangkok and a northern province for more than a month because of poor visibility caused by air pollution, the carrier confirmed on Wednesday. Air pollution spikes in Thailand, especially in the north, between December and April as farmers burn stubble to prepare land for the next crop season. Domestic carrier Bangkok Airways is halting flights from Bangkok to the northwestern town of Mae Hong Son because smog was expected to make visibility too poor to land, an airline official told AFP. 'We experienced the same problem last year when smog levels were extremely high,' the Bangkok Airways official at Mae Hong Son airport said. The airport authority in Mae Hong Son, a popular stop on the backpacker trail in northern Thailand, announced on Facebook last week that flights would be suspended from March 15 to April 20. 'Smog affects vision and safety of the airlines,' the post said. The air quality index for Mae Hong Son was 7.9 times greater than World Health Organization guidelines, according to IQ Air data, which measures global air pollution. Thailand has become increasingly alarmed about the effects of air pollution, which causes millions of people to need medical treatment each year. The government banned crop burning early this year, with violators facing fines and legal action, although it is not yet clear what impact the measures are having. The Department of National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation was ordered to 'update the actual situation to restore confidence among business operators', the government said in a statement after the Bangkok Airways flight suspension.
