Air Siam
Encyclopedia
Air Siam was an airline based in Thailand which operated from 1965 until 1976.
. The airline was founded by the Thai Royal Family but at the beginning it did not have aircraft or assistance starting up. Since the airline was backed by the Royal Family, it quickly acquired route to Hong Kong
using the DC-4. Expansion was followed in 1971 with service from Bangkok
to Los Angeles
using a leased Douglas DC-8-63
in a mixed passenger/freight configuration. That route was abandoned after only 10 months due to low yields and competition.
The next phase in the airline history came with a single BAC-1-11
was used for the route to Hong Kong and then the airline leased a Boeing 707-131
to extend the route to Tokyo
. After further expansion using one Douglas DC-10-30, one Airbus A300B2-1C
, and using two Boeing 747-148 and one Boeing 747-206(B)
. Due to the heavy growth in Aviation business at the time, Air Siam was pressured by the Thai government policy that there shall be no other airlines competing in the same routes with Thai Airways International
, which is the national airline. In addition to such situation, the overcapacity of the fleet caused Air Siam to lose large sums of money and by September 1976 the operations could not be sustained and the company declared bankruptcy.
History
This airline was established in 1965 under the name Varan Air-Siam, but it did not start operations until 1969 with a Douglas DC-4Douglas DC-4
The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engined propeller-driven airliner developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It served during World War II, in the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in a military role...
. The airline was founded by the Thai Royal Family but at the beginning it did not have aircraft or assistance starting up. Since the airline was backed by the Royal Family, it quickly acquired route to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
using the DC-4. Expansion was followed in 1971 with service from Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
using a leased Douglas DC-8-63
Douglas DC-8
The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
in a mixed passenger/freight configuration. That route was abandoned after only 10 months due to low yields and competition.
The next phase in the airline history came with a single BAC-1-11
BAC One-Eleven
The British Aircraft Corporation One-Eleven, also known as the BAC-111, BAC-1-11 or BAC 1-11, was a British short-range jet airliner of the 1960s and 1970s...
was used for the route to Hong Kong and then the airline leased a Boeing 707-131
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
to extend the route to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. After further expansion using one Douglas DC-10-30, one Airbus A300B2-1C
Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
, and using two Boeing 747-148 and one Boeing 747-206(B)
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
. Due to the heavy growth in Aviation business at the time, Air Siam was pressured by the Thai government policy that there shall be no other airlines competing in the same routes with Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline's headquarters are located in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, and operates out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Thai is a...
, which is the national airline. In addition to such situation, the overcapacity of the fleet caused Air Siam to lose large sums of money and by September 1976 the operations could not be sustained and the company declared bankruptcy.
Fleet details
- 1 - Douglas DC-4Douglas DC-4The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engined propeller-driven airliner developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It served during World War II, in the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in a military role...
- 1 - BAC-1-11BAC One-ElevenThe British Aircraft Corporation One-Eleven, also known as the BAC-111, BAC-1-11 or BAC 1-11, was a British short-range jet airliner of the 1960s and 1970s...
- 2 - Boeing 707-131Boeing 707The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
- 1 - Douglas DC-8-63Douglas DC-8The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
- 1 - Douglas DC-10-30
- 1 - Airbus A300B2-1CAirbus A300The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
- 2 - Boeing 747-148Boeing 747The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
- 1 - Boeing 747-206(B)Boeing 747The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...