Bangkok Airways Cool to Overture from Carrier.

Byline: Boonsong Kositchotethana

Aug. 2--Angel Air, grounded for most of its five-year life despite being Thailand's designated second national carrier, has asked Bangkok Airways, the country's largest privately owned airline, to take over its assets and operations.

The offer by Somchai Bencharongkul, the owner and chief executive of Angel Air, to Bangkok Airways president and chief executive Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, signals Mr Somchai's desire to exit an aviation business that has run up debts exceeding 100 million baht.

An industry source said Mr Somchai, whose family founded the United Communication Industry group, had offered Angel Air to Dr Prasert for free, but on the unspoken understanding that Bangkok Air would also take on the debt.

Dr Prasert has reportedly shown no interest in the offer, also being advocated by Deputy Transport Minister Pichet Sathirachawal, as he sees the operation as not commercially viable.

In his eyes, Angel Air has image problems that will make it difficult to attract customers, given the fact there are now other choices in the market.

Indeed, Angel has few assets to attract any takers. It does not have its own aircraft but planned to lease a 270-seat Airbus A300 from a Turkish airline.