Angel Airlines to start new Laos/Burma Route

Once Angel Air have taken delivery of an ATR 72 aircraft, (planned for October) they will resume flights to Luang Prabang. At the same time new routes to Mandalay and Siem Reap will be launched using the same 72 seater aircraft.

Star eyes stake in Thai Airways

Star Alliances is ready to buy a 10% stake in Thai Airways International. It is understood the Alliance group has formed a holding company in Asia with SIA and Lufthansa assuming the lead role.

Mekong airlines ready to align with major players

Representatives of the regions smaller airlines concluded more partnerships must be created with international airlines if a sustainable air travel network  is to be established in the Mekong area.

Without these links and partnerships their very survival could be jeopardized.

At the first day of the forum were airline executives from both regional and international airlines discussing the viability of such a network.

Delta Air, said it was vital for smaller airlines to recognise and adopt basic elements of co-operation with international airlines.

Mr. Meyers was not referring to scheduling or alliances, simply a ticketing and baggage agreement.

He went on to indicate that such agreements would not be in place until regional airlines make contact with the international airlines.

Whilst this lack of co-operation continues the smaller Mekong airlines will lose out on the long haul market.

Mr. Meyers went on to list “must do” requirements including a ticketing and baggage pact allowing international airlines to ticket a passenger through to a point in the Mekong region using different airlines.

Without this accord most travelers will see their ticket taking them no further than the major hubs of Asian air travel such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.

Angel Airlines is in negotiations with Middle eastern and European airlines in an effort to establish interline agreements after a deal was signed with Thai Airways earlier this year.

“As the second national domestic airline, we think we have the qualifications to work with global partners.”

Angel Air already has interline agreements with Lao Aviation and Air Mandalay.

Air Mandalay’s general manager Peter Tan confirmed the airline had 12 agreements mainly with neighbouring airlines, but admitted Thai Airways International was the market leader.

“Beyond South East Asia we only have one agreement, with Air France” he explained.

Bangkok Airways has been the most successful with interline agreements, securing British Airways, LTU, and Swissair. But TG (Thai Airways) is the airlines top interline customer.

“Our major drawback,” said Mr. Tan, “is the lack of real time communications. We cannot rely on local links to establish real time bookings through a GDS. It is difficult to enter into agreements with international airlines if you are still using a manual booking system.

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