Tuesday, February 19, 2013

NOK ! when there's no other choice

Reader Comment: 

NOK Air is now adding new routes to their already tough schedule.
What happens now?

My Research indicates:

In the case of increased services to Mae Sot and Chumphon starting 1 March:

"... using Saab 340 chartered from Siam General Aviation, also known as NOK Mini."

  • Mini NOK; aka SGA Airlines, is a subsidiary of NOK Air.
    It's fleet consist of:
    5 ea Saab340B (SF34) 
    1 ea Cessna Grand Caravan (C208B)
Sakon Nakhon is served by NOK AIR using ATR 72-200.
The ATR 72-200 was first manufactured in 1989.  A very efficient and reliable aircraft.
Modernized versions (AT 72-500) were certified in 1997.
On it's website NOK Air indicates the continued use of the  ATR 72-200 for the Sakon Nakhon - Bangkok route.
Recent six to 12 hour flight delays, and the replacement with Boeing 737-400 aircraft, would indicate that there may be a maintenance safety concern.

On my recent Sakon Nakhon - Bangkok round trip I traveled on two Boeing aircraft.
The Boeing 737-400 aircraft are listed at Wikipedia: 
To Exit Service 2013 
A Bangkok Post article dated January 31 indicates that NOK Air plans to sell 30% in a public offering in August 2013.  The money is to be used for aircraft acquisition.   

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