Thailand's Siam Seaplane outlines operational plans

Thailand's Siam Seaplane eyes 4Q23 ground launch

Siam Seaplane set for mid-2023 launch, eyes foreign AOCs

Siam Seaplane (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) is preparing to launch charter operations during summer 2023, initially using fixed-runway airports, and also sees opportunities for establishing sister airlines in other South-East Asian countries, Chief Business Officer Denis Keller told AirwaysMag.

"The company has taken delivery of its first Cessna (single turboprop) C208EX Grand Caravan aircraft and is now concluding its registration process. The launch of flights is imminent," Keller said. "We start with ground-to-ground charter flights and scenic flights first. And, as water landing sites are put in place, a smooth transition into amphibious seaplane flying will kick off."

The start-up took its first aircraft, N154SB (msn 208B-5076), on November 11, 2022, and has now re-registered it as HS-SSP in Thailand. However, Siam Seaplane has also yet to complete its own certification.

Keller said a further two C208s will arrive "in the coming months". Over the next five years, Siam Seaplane foresees a fleet of up to 15 aircraft in Thailand. It will initially base the aircraft out of one of the Bangkok airports....

Thailand's Siam Seaplane adds first plane, a C208EX

Siam Seaplane set to partner Florida's Tropic Ocean Airways

Siam Seaplane (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) has signed a Letter Of Intent (LOI) with Tropic Ocean Airways (TI, Fort Lauderdale International), a Florida-based seaplane operator, to "share expertise and skills as well as collaborate where relevant with any other third parties in their mutual objectives", including the sharing of aircraft.

As it works towards its launch, Siam Seaplane said it would employ Tropic Ocean Airways' existing amphibious airline business model, its US FAA-approved training program, and other existing resources for its operations. This includes its fleet of Cessna (single turboprop) 208B Grand Caravan EX amphibians.

Additionally, Tropic Ocean Airways and Siam Seaplane will work to develop and execute a territory-wide maritime search and rescue (SAR) and a disaster management program to improve resilience and responsiveness.

Tropic Ocean Airways will also assist Siam Seaplane to enact regulations for amphibious aircraft water landings through the sharing of best practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and internal controls. This will then enable Thailand to safely regulate amphibious aircraft traffic.

Tropic Ocean Airways currently operates eleven...