A group in Thailand is in talks with Pan American Airways to establish a new carrier in Asia using the US airline's name and corporate identity.
Industry sources say the group has been holding talks with Pan Am for some time and executives from the US airline have been visiting Thailand to discuss the possible joint formation of the new carrier. The plan is backed by Prayong Boonsoong and Dean Mills, president and general manager, respectively, of J B Hotel in Hat Yai, as well as other Asian investors and a Hawaii-based businessman.
"We aren't in a position to make any statement other than we are in the planning stages for an airline that will be based here in Thailand," says Mills.
Pan Am executive vice-president John Nadolny confirms the carrier has met the Thai group but says the talks were "conceptual in nature".
The group wants to focus on carrying tourists from the USA to Thailand's resort destinations and will concentrate on flights within Asia.
Source: Flight International
