NokScoot ready to fly by May

BANGKOK  NokScoot will launch scheduled services, this May, with a fleet of three 415-seat 777-200s, according to a Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation report.
The centre said the long-haul, low-cost joint venture between Nok Air and Singapore Airlines’ subsidiary, Scoot, is planning to serve China, South Korea, Japan and Singapore in its initial phase.
It quoted a SIA statement that NokScoot was planning to launch scheduled flights in May 2015 subject to regulatory approvals.
inside no 3However, the carrier has not yet committed to firm launch date or route network.
But as the submissions have been completed NokScoot is optimistic it will be able secure at least one foreign air carrier permit in March, enabling it to begin tickets sales with sufficient lead time to launch services in May.
The airline has identified potential services to Japan, South Korea or China or any combination of the three.
The airline has submitted an application for a foreign air carrier permit from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) with the hope of launching scheduled services to Tokyo Narita in early 2015. NokScoot also has since lodged applications with Chinese and South Korean authorities.
NokScoot will compete against Thai AirAsia X on its current operation to Japan’s Osaka Kansai and Tokyo Narita routes.
The Bangkok-Tokyo market is also served by THAI Airways International, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Delta Airlines and Thai leisure carriers, Asian Air and Jet Asia Airways, according to OAG, aviation information and analytical services, data.
The Bangkok-Osaka market is only currently served by Thai AirAsia X, Thai Airways and Japan Airlines.
Thai AirAsia X will also launch a daily flight connecting Thailand’s (Don Mueang Airport) to Japan’s Sapporo New Chitose Airport, 1 May.
NokScoot took delivery of its first reconfigured 777-200 in late November 2014 and now has two 777-200s. The third will come in early April. The first two aircraft have been leased from SIA for five years and retrofitted into two-class configuration with 391 economy and 24 recliner style business class seats.
Nok Air and Scoot of Singapore Airlines’ low-cost unit signed a Memorandum of Understanding, 16 December 2013, to establish a new low-cost airline that will be based in at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok.

sourced:ttrweekly.com