BANGKOK — Thai Airways International Public Company Limited and Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance Thailand’s capabilities in the aircraft maintenance industry, with the aim of positioning the country as an aviation hub in the region.
The signing ceremony took place at Thai Airways’ headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on March 24, conducted by Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways, and Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways.
The MOU marks the start of a feasibility study for a joint business development project to establish an aircraft maintenance center in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) at U-Tapao Airport. It aims to promote cooperation in exploring the feasibility of jointly developing an aircraft maintenance center and related businesses within the EEC at U-Tapao Airport.
The aim is to accommodate the growth of the aviation industry in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region while enhancing the country’s competitiveness. The project will consider appropriate business models to maximize benefits and align with market demands, opportunities and challenges.
Mr. Chai explained that Thai Airways, with its many years of experience in aircraft maintenance, aims to promote Thailand as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance, an essential factor that supports the global growth of the aviation industry. This will help improve the country’s competitiveness and drive economic development.
The collaboration aims to establish Thailand as a regional aviation maintenance hub, capitalizing on growing demand across the Asia-Pacific region while strengthening national competitiveness. Partners will develop business models that maximize benefits and respond effectively to market conditions and opportunities.
According to Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri, the initiative leverages the airline’s extensive maintenance expertise to position Thailand as a premier aircraft service center in response to global aviation growth trends. This strategic development is expected to enhance Thailand’s competitive position while stimulating broader economic benefits.
The feasibility study between Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways to develop an MRO center in the EEC is seen as a crucial step in strengthening Thailand’s readiness to support the expansion of the aviation sector in the Asia-Pacific region.
Beyond strengthening national capacity, this cooperation reflects the joint efforts of various stakeholders to create economic opportunities and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the global aviation industry through appropriate and mutually beneficial business models.
Mr. Puttipong added that the partnership is in line with the government’s policy to advance Thailand’s aviation industry in all dimensions and make Thailand a regional aviation hub. With more than 57 years of experience in the aviation industry, Bangkok Airways is keen to expand aviation-related activities, especially in the field of aircraft maintenance, where the company has more than 20 years of experience.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening Thailand’s aircraft maintenance industry, not only to reduce dependence on foreign MRO services to save costs and time, but also to boost the domestic economy and develop skilled personnel in the aircraft maintenance field. This initiative will enable Thailand to effectively meet the future global growth of aviation.
“This MOU marks an important step in developing Thailand’s aviation industry in a fully integrated way. In addition to boosting competitiveness, it will also contribute to the development and enhancement of human resource potential,” said President of Bangkok Airways.
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