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Capt MAC
2nd Nov 2011, 17:16
Hello all,anyone any info about NOK AIRWAY a lowco in Bankok?
Thanks!
They seem to be doing well but with their operations out of Don Muang life cannot be smooth. I used to see their crews, all in canary yellow!
Good luck
Gas Bags
3rd Nov 2011, 19:50
In bed with Thai Air and backed by a member of the royal family. Should keep going as such. More expansion planned....
IceSpike
11th Nov 2011, 05:17
Domestic travel has become a flood casualty
Nok Air executives are scratching their heads wondering how to use the airline's new Boeing 737 jets in the face of shrinking domestic air travel demand caused by Thailand's worst flooding in 69 years.
The budget airline last Saturday took delivery of the first of 12 leased Boeing 737-800 jets. The plane has since been parked at the Royal Thai Navy-managed U-Tapao Pattaya airport instead of being deployed quickly as planned.
The second 737-800 is due next Friday and the third on Nov 24, joining Nok Air's current fleet of 10 older B737-400s and two ATR 72 turboprops.
"We've yet to decide how to use these early B737-800s," chief executive Patee Sarasin told the Bangkok Post yesterday.
The carrier is facing a short-term capacity surplus due to the market downturn, while relocation of its base from the inundated Don Mueang airport to Suvarnabhumi airport has complicated the issue.
Nok Air earlier planned to have the first B737-800 in service by now on the Bangkok-Chang Mai route.
Specific dates for the nine other B737-800 have yet to be set, but deliveries will be from 2012-13.
The first batch of B737-800s will be used for expansion, while the later deliveries will replace the B737-400s, all of which are leased.
The replacements will markedly increase capacity, as the smaller B737-400s are configured with only 150 seats and have a relatively low utilisation rate, while the B737-800s have 189 seats and are more fuel-efficient.
The airline will gradually return its 10 B737-400s, four of which are leased from Thai Airways International, a 49% stakeholder in Nok Air, from mid-2012 to 2015.
Nok Air has been acquiring second-hand B737-800s as part of its fleet renewal to take advantage of lower maintenance costs, raise its average utilisation to more than 11 hours a day and increase seat capacity.
Nok Air is seeing contrasting passenger traffic flows, with flights leaving Bangkok at near capacity and incoming flights at only 40%.
"We're seeing more people fleeing the flooding in Bangkok than are coming in," said Mr Patee.
Like the authorities, Nok Air is in the dark as to when it can return to its home base at Don Mueang, because when the floodwaters will subside, the extent of damage to the airport and how long it will take to revive airport operations all remain unclear.
"But obviously, it's impossible to go back by Nov 10 like we originally anticipated," said Mr Patee.
"My best guesstimate now is the end of December."
Nok Air's operations at Suvarnabhumi this past week have not been smooth.
Its forced evacuation from Don Mueang has resulted in flight delays, changes in flight times and computer system problems.
"We've had a hard time addressing these issues, but we're getting back to pre-crisis service levels," said Mr Patee.
kwaiyai
14th Nov 2011, 06:46
What do you want to know Capt MAC.
Regds,
Latest info seems to suggest that VTBD could be out of action for up to 6 months!
Metro man
14th Nov 2011, 07:59
No surprise there, just because the water drains off it doesn't mean operations can resume immediately. Damage to the electrics comes to mind first, a couple of weeks underwater won't do the ILS and VOR any good. Then there's the clean up and repairs with resources stretched to the limit else where.
With VTBS operational and so much else that will need doing in the city, I can't see VTBD being a priority.
GlueBall
15th Nov 2011, 09:37
And, most importantly, the golf course is unusable as well. :{
Capt MAC
16th Nov 2011, 19:58
Thank you all for the nice briefing.All it was for a TRI position for the new B 738.Everything was ok but at the end of procces they asked for 3000 tt as PIC on B 738 and I don t have that.It would have been nice to get it,even for a short time( 1-2 month ). Good luck for whom will take it!
kwaiyai
18th Nov 2011, 02:42
No doubt a DCAT requirement which they found out later rather than before your process. Sorry to hear that.
Glueball,
And, most importantly, the golf course is unusable as well.
A few obstacles to overcome at present!
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a154/ZFT/general/VTBD.jpg
flyhigh85
30th Dec 2011, 05:13
So Nok is still operating at suvarnabhumi at present. Does anyone know if they will hire expats soon? I heard some rumors that they hired 4 xpats on a short term contract for the 800 but that their profile is still to just take in thai nationalities.
VTBD operations are scheduled to recommence for Nok Air, Orient Thai and One Two Go in April 2012.
The only expats I've ever seen here with Nok were some extremely pleasant XL crews (FD and CC) about 4+ years ago on a seasonal Wet Lease contract.
That's not to contradict your rumour re the 4 expats on short term contracts but I would be most surprised if Nok (or any of the other reputable Thai carriers) ever recruited outside of Thailand again other than in very exceptional circumstances.
why are you still speaking of OTG cause it doesn't exist anymore?
is it?