BANGKOK – Following the soft-opening and unveiling of the new aircraft at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Gen. Supakorn Sanguanchartsornkrai, chief consultant of Ezy Airlines, M-Landarch Co Ltd, experts in the 12-seater aircraft business, gave Matichon an insight into entering the aviation market. Ezy Airlines is ready to offer scheduled and charter flights and sees itself as a short-haul airline connecting major and secondary cities in the south within 60 minutes.
“Ezy Airlines’ aviation business aims to improve convenience for business travelers, locals and people who need services, such as hospital patients. This will sustainably boost the economy and allow both tourists and business people to realize the true potential of the southern region and promote it on a national scale,” he said.
New Market in the Blue Ocean
The Ministry of Tourism and Sport expects over 23 million tourists to visit the southern region in 2024. So far, around 300,000 passengers have traveled by plane each year, with only 30,000 flights offered, which represents only 1 percent of the potential market. This is an opportunity for a new market in the blue ocean.
Ezy Airlines has introduced the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Ex, which can accommodate 8-12 passengers. This aircraft is extremely safe, durable and versatile, able to land anywhere and fly in all weather conditions and terrain. It is easy to maintain and will officially begin flying on 1 July 2025.
If Ezy Airlines obtains the Air Operator’s License (AOL) and Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), it will operate charter flights and use Hat Yai International Airport in Songkhla as its hub from October 2024. Initial routes include Hat Yai to Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Betong and Narathiwat, with fares for the Hat Yai – Betong route ranging from 1,900 to 2,500 baht per seat.
Gen. Supakorn explained that the company plans to increase the number of flights to a total of nine in the medium term (in 3 to 5 years) by purchasing additional aircraft. This will cover other regions of Thailand and establish connections to neighboring countries such as Malaysia (Langkawi, Penang and Ipoh airports) and Indonesia. The aim is to offer passengers new travel options and break even by 2027, generating billions in revenue.
Ezy Sets Sights on Betong Airport
Meanwhile, On May 27, Chatchwee Sakornvisai, Senior Director of Business Development and International Coordination at Ezy Airlines, gave an interview in Betong District, Yala Province, southern Thailand. He stated that the company sees that the previous government has already built Betong Airport, and there were initial problems (suspension of operations). So it is a good choice.
Ezy Airlines’ aircraft are small, with 12 seats, which are suitable for regional travel. Moreover, Betong’s local people, various economies, and border trade between Thailand and Malaysia have a demand for goods and services, including connecting to the center of the South, which is Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province.
“When there are planes to help shorten the travel time from 4.5 hours by car to only 30 or 35 minutes, it can save time and reduce the danger of driving on the winding mountain roads of Highway 410 Yala-Betong. Those who have traveled by car on this route probably understand well how winding the route is and how it causes motion sickness,” he said.
Chatchwee said that when the airline service opens from Hat Yai International Airport in Songkhla Province, it will fly directly to Betong. After that, it will expand to cover the entire southern region, focusing on secondary city airports such as Ranong, Krabi, Phang Nga, Trang, and Narathiwat, to connect travel between them and help shorten travel time and expenses for people in the South.
Local Travel Connections and Tourism
Thanee Tharapak, Managing Director of Ezy Airlines, pointed out the need for government support in reducing various charges that represent a significant cost to the company. Ezy Airlines is a smaller airline compared to the big players in the industry and focuses on facilitating local travel connections and tourism.
Tourism in Songkhla province and the southern region has seen significant growth in terms of visitor numbers and spending, such as tourists from Malaysia who can easily travel to nearby provinces. However, the current travel infrastructure does not support this convenience and Ezy Airlines aims to take on this task.
Thanee added that there is a high demand from passengers, but the supply is insufficient. Passengers from the south, especially those who fly, often inquire about chartering entire planes rather than ticket prices, reflecting their high purchasing power supported by lucrative rubber prices and various industries such as agriculture and fishing. Consequently, they are willing to pay for convenient travel options.
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