Phanraphee Bunphalamlert,  assistant general manager (l) and Simon Wagstaff ceo of the ASA Group

ASA to provide FBO in Asia to meet international client demand

ASA group, which is developing its global charter broker network, expects to enjoy increased business flows into its core Asian catchment area through the coming launch of its own FBO in Thailand. The group, which recently set up an office in Dubai managed by Andrea Eden to target broker business, also has offices in the UK and US as well as Myanmar and Cambodia to complement its two based in Thailand at Bangkok and Phuket.

Simon Wagstaff, ceo says: "Despite the current global down-turn, there is strong demand from clients, particularly in the Middle East, for FBO services in Thailand which complement our international charter broker and related services."

Wagstaff points out that ASA caters for regular trips from vip clients based in the Middle East, including members of royal families and wealthy entrepre-neurs. Eden says the increasingly strong bond between the two regions is boosting overall business levels.

The ASA Group has been given the go ahead by Airports of Thailand (AOT) to develop what is described as Thailand's first world-class FBO at Phuket international airport.

"We see those FBO services as integral to servicing the growing numbers of vip visitors to Thailand from regions including the Middle East," says Eden.

Wagstaff adds: "The state-of-the-art terminal and business centre will accommodate the swelling ranks of vip visitors to Thailand each year and is expected to be operational by the end of summer. As both a charter broker and handling services provider, we cater for many private flights into Phuket. It is apparent that the time is right to look after our growing client base of vvip visitors. They presently have nowhere in the airports to go once they disembark."

The new director of Phuket international airport, Pratuang Sornkham, has publicly described ASA's project as "appropriate for the airport" due to the growing number of businessmen and vips flying in to Phuket on private jet charter flights.

Wagstaff says: "The FBO will offer aircraft operators, passen-gers and aircrew a range of prof-essional services for business and private flights, including tailored solutions for vip diplomatic and large aircraft operations."

ASA will also offer vip secur- ity, private aircraft charter and concierge services, over-flight and landing clearances, in-flight catering, aircraft marshalling, parking, fuel, aircraft valet, hangarage, security, customs and immigration, passenger and baggage handling, limousine transfers and hotel accommodation.

Pratuang took over as head of Phuket international airport only in May but is already reported to be working with AOT on a wide range of development plans for the airfield, the busiest in Thailand after Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. In February this year, AOT announced it would invest 5 billion baht (US$0.15 billion) in the expan-sion of the airport in order to increase it capacity by 77% to 11.5 million passengers by the year 2016.

Wagstaff says: "We need to cater for the many private flights who will be attracted to Phuket because of this important expansion. ASA already has many years of experience in arranging charter operations and ground handling in Asia. We look forward to helping to turn Thailand into a world-class vip tourist destination."