NEW AIRLINE - Thailand's Landarch Airlines secures air operator's licence

Landarch Airlines (Hat Yai) has secured its air operator's licence (AOL), according to a post on the startup's social media accounts. The AOL, issued by Thailand's Ministry of Transport, is a precursor to obtaining an air operator's certificate (AOC), which is issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

Landarch Airlines announced the issuance of the AOL on August 9, calling it a "significant milestone" in the start-up process. The AOL certifies that the licensee meets all necessary qualifications to operate an airline, per the Ministry of Transport regulations. In the same social media post, Landarch Airlines said that it plans to commence revenue operations in April 2024.

In February, ch-aviation reported that Landarch Airlines had secured its first 12-passenger Cessna (single turboprop) 208B from Textron Aviation and planned to take its second in 2024 and three more between 2025 and 2027. Last week, Landarch said it would start running charter flights using its single aircraft, then when the second plane arrived, "expected to be at the end of 2024," scheduled services will begin.

M-Landarch Company Limited owns Landarch Airlines. The state-owned entity specialises in electronics and advanced technologies, including retailing unmanned aircraft systems solutions. M-Landarch is also Thailand's Cessna turboprop distributor. It plans to fly its Cessnas from its Hat Yai base in Thailand's south to destinations within 60 minutes flying time that are difficult to reach via road or rail. The airline's spokesperson has previously said its first route is expected to be between Hat Yai and Yala Betong.