8 new rivals to crowd Thailand's airline industry this year

Thailand's aviation industry welcomes eight new carriers this year, creating pressure on players new and old to differentiate themselves from the heightened competition. Patee Sarasin, CEO of startup Really Cool Airlines, said his company "will redefine the image of the aviation industry marked by the identical services found at each carrier." Really Cool Airlines is focusing on international flights. The company plans regular service from Bangkok to the Tokyo area's Narita Airport and an airport serving the Japanese city of Nagoya as soon as June. Direct flights to Singapore, Hong Kong and the country of Georgia are also in the works. The carrier looks to distinguish itself through service perks because it would be at a disadvantage in competing on an equal footing with rival airlines, Patee said. Really Cool Airlines will offer to take luggage from passengers at the point of departure and send it directly to their hotel at the destination. The company plans to provide transportation services from airports and arrange for lodging as well. Through the mobile app, customers can voice the destination and dates to an avatar, and receive options on the screen. Really Cool Airlines targets turning a profit in 2025 and going public by 2027, Patee said. Fellow newcomer M-Landarch Airlines will limit service to southern Thailand near the Malaysian border. The hub will be established in Hat Yai, a city that serves as the regional center. Flights to cities in the service area will take less than an hour, slashing travel time from the three to five hours reportedly needed for land routes. The area served by M-Landarch is dotted with magnificent mosques and home to a large Muslim population. The region also boasts the longest skywalk in Southeast Asia, overlooking mountainous terrain. Story has more.<br/>