Thailand’s low cost carrier Nok Airlines Public Co Ltd and Singapore Airlines’ subsidiary Scoot Pte Ltd will establish a new Bangkok-based low-cost airline subject to regulatory approvals. The startup investment will be THB2 billion (around S$80million) with Nok owning 51% and Scoot 49% of share.
Named NokScoot, the new low-cost airline will be based at Don Mueang International Airport – the base of AirAsia Thailand as well as Nok Air. NokScoot will operate widebody aircraft on medium and long-haul international routes.
Nok Air was first established on 10 February 2004 and currently serves domestic destinations and its international destinations include Laos and Myanmar. Flying a fleet of mixed aircraft from Boeing 737-400, Boeing 737-800 and ATR 72-200, its colourful aircraft livery is easy to recognise with the yellow beak of a bird at the nose of the aircraft and on the tail. Benefits of flying with Nok Air include free wi-fi at the departure gate while you wait for your aircraft, 15 kg of free luggage (for Promotion and Nok Eco fares or 20kg for Nok Flexi fares). Snacks and drinks are served on all travel fares including promotion fares.
Scoot started its inaugural service 5 June 2012 serving its first destination, Sydney Australia, with a fleet of Boeing 777-200s flying medium and long-haul routes serving its first millionth customer in May this year. It flies serves customers flying between Singapore and Sydney, Gold Coast, Bangkok, Tianjin, Taipei, Tokyo, Shenyang and Qingdao. The low cost airline is expecting delivery of its 20 Boeing 787 aircraft from late 2014.
Both Nok Air and Scoot share the fun and friendly culture as well as a yellow corporate colour for their cabin crew uniform.
