News
NewGen Airways sets up U-Tapao base
April 21st 2017
U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is becoming popular at last. After Thai Lion Air last week said it would launch domestic and international flights from U-Tapao this year, NewGen Airways launched its maiden flight from the airfield on Monday. Read More »
NewGen said it plans to make U-Tapao its new base as it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain slots at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
NewGen’s business is focused on charter operations to Mainland China. It currently operates an average 30 flights to 25 Mainland cities with its ten-aircraft-strong B737 fleet.
NewGen will receive two more -800s in July, its CEO, Jarurnpong Sornprasit, told the Bangkok Post. "The effects brought by the zero-dollar issue are behind us and we have fully resumed our services and are continuing to grow," Jarurnpong told the paper.
U-Tapao Airport is a half hour drive from Pattaya, a favourite with Mainland tourists.
AirAsia has been rapidly building its network from U-Tapao since it launched flights in 2015. AirAsia flies to Kuala Lumpur and Thai AirAsia serves Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Macau, Nanchang, Nanning, Phuket, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani from U-Tapao.
Hong Kong Airlines and budget carrier, HK Express, are considering launching flights from Hong Kong to U-Tapao. China Southern Airlines launched a Pudong flight in 2016, but terminated the service within months. Hainan Airlines flies from U-Tapao to Sanya three times a week, marking the airport’s only scheduled full-service route to China.
