REBRANDS - Asia Atlantic Airlines rebrands to Air Thailand

Asia Atlantic Airlines (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) has rebranded to AirThailand (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) and according to its website intends to start operations in August 2024 with either A330-200 or A330-300 stock.

After briefly operating passenger charter flights to Japan and China on behalf of its parent, the Japanese travel company HIS Group, as well as some domestic operations, Asia Atlantic Airlines ceased operations in mid-2018, putting its two B767-300ERs into storage. Despite reports of a restart, it has never managed to do so.

Late last year, ch-aviation reported that an entity called Asia Atlantic Airlines Co. Ltd was planning to start scheduled flight operations in 2024. The entity said it had received a five-year operating licence (OL) in August 2023 and had applied to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) for an air operator's certificate (AOC). The CAAT's latest AOC status data, published on April 11, 2024, lists the pending Asia Atlantic Airlines Co. Ltd application. The original AOC, issued in 2017, lapsed in December 2022.

Air Thailand's website says it will connect Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Tokyo Narita four times per week using Airbus widebodies. The still-valid OL authorised the company to acquire three A330 types. "This transition [to Air Thailand] builds on our longstanding legacy of high customer satisfaction and a steadfast commitment to quality, service, and excellence," the website reads.

The company also lists its recent key achievements as diplomatic engagement with the Thai Consulate in Dubai regarding the start of Dubai International-Phuket and Dubai-Bangkok flights; the signing of a memorandum of understanding with ALTA United Arab Emirates concerning Hajj and Umrah charters; "strategic discussions" with Airbus at the recent Singapore Air Show; and discussions with AMECO Beijing about maintenance services for the A330s.

ch-aviation has contacted Air Thailand for comment.