THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: The international air travel market may be contracted at the moment but two Thai-owned companies have applied to commence new domestic airline operations next month.

Nakhon Chiangmai Air (NCA) and Legacy Air (LA) have applied for commercial air services licenses with the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), though deputy director-general Wuthichai Singhamanee said neither are yet to meet prerequisites.

NCA plans to use Chiang Mai as a hub for flights to Udon Thani and Phitsanulok, while LA plans to fly from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Phitsanulok and Bangkok.

Both airlines’ plans call for the use of turbo-prop aircraft, with NCA opting for the 72-seat French built ATR-72, and LA selecting the 33-seat Swedish built Saab 340.

NCA is said to be backed by a local northern Thai businessman, while LA is said to be a Thai businessman who runs an oil tanker businesses.

Amongst the prerequisites the two airlines need to meet is having paid-up capital of Bt200 million (about $US6 million).

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for December 14, 2009