Tonlé Sap Airlines Secures 757 Lease
Cambodian carrier Tonlé Sap Airlines is to introduce a single Boeing 757-200 into its fleet having been forced to reschedule its operations following the recent collapse of UK charter specialist Astraeus Airlines. The company launched operations in January this year with a single 737-300 operated on its behalf under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) lease by Astraeus. This aircraft was due to be replaced by a 737-700 from Astraeus last month but following the closure of the UK carrier the original aircraft was returned to its owner at the end of October.
Tonlé Sap Airlines is understood to have maintained schedules through short-term wet-lease deals but has now agreed to lease a Boeing 757-200 from Latvian flag carrier airBaltic in a deal brokered by Skygo Leasing. The aircraft will be based in Siem Reap and will fly mainly between Cambodia and Korea with some additional services to China.
“This is a tremendously-understated win-win deal for both operators, and a significant landmark for aviation commerce between East and West,” said Shaun Monnery, Executive Vice President – Commercial, Skygo Leasing, who had been responsible for the original deal between Tonlé Sap Airlines and Astraeus Airlines in his previous role working for the latter. “Asian airlines want and need aircraft as they adopt a seasonal approach, and European operators have too many aircraft, especially in the winter season.”