NEW AIRLINE: Sunny Airways Prepares for Launch

Thai start-up carrier Sunny Airways is formalising the delivery of its first aircraft as it prepares to launch flights serving the charter market between Thailand and Europe. The airline has acquired a single Boeing 767-200ER, which was most recently operated by transatlantic low-cost carrier MAXjet Airways prior to its demise in December 2007. After a period of storage in Miami International Airport, the aircraft has been ferried to Bangkok and has now taken up its local registration and Sunny Airways titles ahead of its entry into service.

Sunny Airways plans to initially operate between Bangkok and Frankfurt and expects to expand to include other destinations across Europe. Its ultimate aim is to bring European tourists to destinations across Asia and is working with tour operators to provide capacity. Should its initial charter services prove successful, it then suggests that scheduled operations could follow. It plans to add a second 767-200ER later this year and two larger 767-300ERs next year.

The venture is backed by Preecha Kongkate who has previously worked with Turkish carrier Atlasjet to provide charter capacity between Bangkok and cities in Germany. He is also the proprietor of Super Star Travel in Thailand and transportation service company Kongkate Express, as well as Focus Jewelry.