Phuket Helicopter Tours Targeting Phang Nga Bay

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Posted: 08 Aug 2009 | 6:56 am

It's always been a mystery to me why helicopter aviation has yet to make inroads to the tourism market in Phuket. Given the international airport which is a key hub to Greater Phuket and the many luxury resorts in Phang Nga, the bay, Krabi, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta this looks on paper to be an area of considerable potential.

While Destination Air's foray into the sector using Cessna Caravans relied heavily on landing in uncontrolled environments such as public beaches, helicopters by nature can land on private landing areas with ease. Just look at the outlying islands of Hawaii where aerial aviation for tourists is a huge industry on its own.

Advance Aviation here currently is operating both tours and charter business with a private landing pad just south of PIA (Phuket International Airport). Coupling their operations in Phuket the firm is now actively targeting growth in tourist sightseeing especially in Phang Nga Bay. As more resort operations such as Jumeirah Private Island and Taj Exotica start to operate expect helicopter transfers to be more common place, especially at the luxury end of the spectrum.

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Bill,

As landing permissions are an issue, we are now trying a new approach to market the helicopters owned by Advance Aviation. We primarily offer tours which to not require exotic landing permissions in which we sell by the seat to ease the business for agents and hotels. We drop the price to a level, where almost everybody can afford a flight in a helicopter. At the same time, we still offer shuttle and charter services. Landing permissions are usually available within 30 days, so there is quite a bit of flexibility, but not as helicopter was made for.

We just launched our website (www.skydance.aero) last week, nonetheless we are ready to sell our tours and anybody can fly as soon as tomorrow.

Best regards,

Roch Aphaiwongs

Managing Director

Skydance Helicopters

Bill Barnett responds:
thanks for the info.

Roch Aphaiwongs, 23 Sep 2009 | 12:22 pm

Thank you, It's very good story

Bangkok Hotels Thailand, 25 Aug 2009 | 4:17 pm

Bill,
Advance Aviation with helicopters is facing the same long uphill bureaucratically enhanced battles Destination Air faced. Approval process for a landing site fully certified can involve 10-20 months with massive amounts of administrative man hours. The 36 landing sites certified for use by Destination Air was an achievement no other company is willing to invest their resources; three of our approved sites are in Phang Nga Bay
Noteworthy, Destination Air will be resuming service 15th Aug. Destination Air is currently taking bookings for non-scheduled charter and excursion services. Our core long term marketing focus will be the support of the local dive boats, aerial photography, yacht charter and real estate businesses. We will of course be pursuing the five star guests within area resorts for private half day and full day excursions…
Keep the good articles coming.
Regards
Pat James
Co-CEO
Destination Air

Bill Barnett responds:
Yes its going to be interesting hopefully some of the ground Destination broke will see the industry finally start to take hold as it offers a whole new aspect to tourism here. Its good positive news you will be up and running again please send me some details so I can post back on newline.

Pat James, 08 Aug 2009 | 2:23 pm