Bangkok Airways begins returning Boeing 717's

[MaxPower]

DATE:12/12/07
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com


Bangkok Airways has begun returning its Boeing 717s to lessors as it introduces Airbus A319s.

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Iain Mackenzie photographed Bangkok Airways 717-200 “HS-PGP” at Glasgow recently, which he understands was being ferried to Miami for overhaul and repaint ahead of delivery to a new operator. The aircraft, which transited through Glasgow between 9 and 11 December, is believed to be one of two which will be delivered to Spanair/AerBal early in 2008.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/12/12/220237/picture-bangkok-airways-begins-returning-boeing-717s.html

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Out with the B717's and in with the A319's. Good for Airbus, seems like the A319's is getting more popular and to be the preferred airliner by LCC's.
Seven short years operating for Bangkok Airways. The B717's are leaving the BKA fleet. I hope the new replacement aircrafts will adopt the gorgeous schemes depicted on those B717's.

[Petertenthije]

Two of them will go to Spanair. Do you know if they will be delivered in Spanair or Bangkok Air livery? Would be cool to have that livery in Europe, even if only for a short while.

[uy707]

Î would also like seeing this script to come on screen, but I rather bet on preparation conducted in the US location ...

[TAP-A343]

Out with the B717's and in with the A319's. Good for Airbus, seems like the A319's is getting more popular and to be the preferred airliner by LCC's.

But Bangkok Airways is not a LCC but a full-service airline with an economy product, at least, on par with TG's domestic economy service.

I had the opportunity to fly with them on a B717 from Bangkok to Siem Reap (Cambodia) back in 2002 and they even had a lounge with snacks and drinks for all the economy passengers.

Regards.

[Crunk415balla]

So we wont be seeing any in ATL in the near future?

[IberiaMD-87]

So we wont be seeing any in ATL in the near future?

Maybe not these two phased-out 717s. Both aircraft are believed to be reserved for Spanair/AeBal as mentioned before in this thread. The first will be online in spring 2008, the second in late summer 2008. Rumours say that both aircraft are "not in good shape".

The 717 was once (with the exception of one (?) Fokker 100?) the first full-size jetliner for Bangkok Air and enabled significant expansion. Bangkok Air was the first Asian costumer and operator of the 717 but it was clear for a longer time that these aircraft would be returned after their leases expire. The remaining two 717s will be returned in 2009 (?) I think.

Regards, IB M87