Look for the 2008 Phuketwan Awards, Coming Soon
PHUKET seaplane shuttle aviator Destination Air is in the ''final hours'' of completing the sale of the business to new Thai buyers, says Managing Director Pat James.
The current owners of Destination Air decided to sell the company to focus on their resort and real estate operations, he says.
''It was not our core business,'' he told Phuketwan. ''We wanted to get back to basics.''
Mr James will remain involved with the company on an advisory basis, he says.
Destination Air won the Phuketwan Business of the Year Award in 2007 by filling a much-needed niche for travellers looking to reach their distant five-star resort destinations faster.
Even though the charter company was forced to abandon its regular landings in Patong Bay after a dispute over noise, business for 2008 was in line with expectations, Mr James says.
''We did no serious advertising,'' he says. ''All our business was by word of mouth.''
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Throughout the year, Destination Air ran at least three or four flights a day on its two Cessna Caravans.
For the past month, flights have been grounded to avoid any unexpected problems that might affect the sale and transfer, he says.
The buyer has an aviation background, but it is not an airline, says Mr James. He is not at liberty to reveal the name of the buyer until after the sale is complete, he says.
There are plans to expand the fleet, adding another two or three aircraft and taking operations to other places in Thailand.
The company may be rebranded as well, he says.
Flights will not resume for three or four months, due to the time involved in getting the proper licensing and approvals to operate.
Destination Air was launched in February 2007, operating non-scheduled floatplane flights mainly between Phuket International Airport and Phi Phi.
Other destinations included Koh Lanta, Koh Racha and Koh Yao Noi.
Destination Air was the first air shuttle service in the Andaman region.
Essential Reading
The Phuketwan Awards for 2008 Business of the Year, 2008 Innovation of the Year, 2008 Restaurant of the Year and 2008 Person of the Year are coming soon.
Phuketwan 2007 Business of the Year Award
The arrival of Destination Air takes Phuket into a new era, making the island a true hub for remote resorts and distant destinations. Meet the 2007 Business of the Year Award winner.
Phuketwan 2007 Business of the Year Award
