New Thailand carrier Asia Atlantic Airlines inaugurated scheduled charter flights between Bangkok and Tokyo on August 20, 2013 as it seeks to take advantage of more relaxed visa requirements to open links into other Asian markets. The start-up, a joint venture between the local Baiyoke hotel chain and Japanese tour operator HIS Group, will also serve the Japanese city of Osaka from September 1, 2013, as revealed by our schedule blog, Airline Route, in June this year, but also has ambitions to fly to Seoul Incheon in South Korea and up to six destinations across China.

Asia Atlantic Airlines plans to develop as a dynamic force in the region’s leisure airline industry and will offer “a legacy carrier service that adheres to the very highest standards of Asian hospitality”. The airline has already taken delivery of two Boeing 767-300ERs and is in discussions to add further aircraft to expand its network even further afield, including links to Guam and Hawaii, Russia and Europe.

“With our years of experience of leisure tours in Asia, we offer convenience not only for tour operators but also guests, who will enjoy the highest standards of safety and service comparable with legacy carriers,” said Bobby Haque, president, Asia Atlantic Airlines.

“Strategically located in Bangkok, our fleet of Boeing 767 aircraft will serve passengers travelling between Thailand and Japan, and Thailand and South Korea, through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Tokyo Narita, Osaka Kansai and Incheon International airports. Additional routes between Thailand and / or Japan to China, Guam and Hawaii will be added in the next 12-24 months,” he added.

Asia Atlantic’s initial 767-300ERs have retained the configuration of their previous owners. Both are arranged in a two cabin layout with one having space for 269 passengers with a 12-seat Business Class cabin and the second a 261 passenger layout with a larger 18-seat Business Class arrangement.