NokScoot to be established as new low-cost airline

[Lite Beer]

AVIATION
NokScoot to be established as new low-cost airline

Thailand's budget carrier Nok Air and Singapore Airlines' budget carrier Scoot Scoot have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new low-cost airline.

Named NokScoot, the new airline will be based in Bangkok, operating from Don Mueang International Airport.

Nok and its alliance will own a 51 per cent stake and Scoot will own a 49 per cent per cent in the new venture. The initial investment is estimated at Bt2 billion.

"We are excited at the prospect of expanding Nok's presence overseas, and to be doing so with the assistance of Scoot. It has always been Nok's goal to offer Thais more choice and more value, of which this venture is yet another example. We're also excited at the opportunity to encourage more inbound tourists, to boost the Thai economy," said Nok Air CEO, Patee Sarasin.

Scoot CEOCampbell Wilson said that the expansion is driven by the fact that Thailand is Asia's premier tourist destination and logical hub for Scoot to expand to.

"We at Scoot are very pleased to be working with Nok, an established and respected Thai low-cost airline, on the establishment of NokScoot. In supporting Nok with Scoot's experience in medium-haul widebody operations, we look forward to developing a new market segment and offering Thai consumers and travellers to Thailand more travel options."

Scoot also formed partnership in Taiwan and India as demand for budget travel grows across Asia

-- The Nation 2013-12-16

[Ricardo]

Wonder what TG might think about this action, by its part-owned/associated company, Nok Air ?

Didn't they have their own plans, for a joint-venture LCC, scuppered ?

Still and all, it's probably good, for us consumers !

[Totster]

I thought Nok Air was a budget airline....

totster

[craigt3365]

I thought Nok Air was a budget airline....

totster

It is. Seems these guys are trying to compete with AirAsia X...offering low cost medium and long haul routes.

[bangon04]

Sounds like a NotTheNation story to me.....

[circusman]

Beware of budget airlines.

[moojar]

Sounds like Scoot will be offloading their ex-SIA 777s onto NokScoot once their own new 787s come along. They fit around 400 passengers into those 777-200s, a bit squeezy.

I've flown Scoot a few times. They're OK but have diabolical connections thru Singapore, requiring an overnight stay in one direction. Flying direct will make it bearable, if they come down this way. The other new LCC - Thai AirAsia X - have already said they intend to fly to at least one Oz destination at startup, so that's a start.

Hey hey, more Aussie bogans hitting BKK can only be a good thing right?

[wpcoe]

"NokScoot." Just rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it. I suppose it's better than Noot or Scok?

Of course, it could also be "Nok's Coot," in tribute to some bar girl's old farang BF?

[Ricardo]

Perhaps "ScootNok" would be better, they might paint a scarecrow, on the nose & tail of their planes ?