BBN Airlines Thailand has announced Vietjet Thailand as its first ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) partner, marking a significant milestone for the country’s newest specialist operator. The partnership commenced on 1 December 2025 and will see BBN Airlines Thailand provide an Airbus A320 to support Vietjet Thailand’s domestic services between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

Having received its Air Operator Certificate in October, BBN Airlines Thailand stands as the nation’s first dedicated ACMI carrier. The airline previously operated under the name Thai SmartLynx during its development phase before officially launching services as BBN Airlines Thailand.

The ACMI arrangement includes a 180-seat economy-configured aircraft, along with experienced flight and cabin crew, maintenance, and insurance. This structure enables Vietjet Thailand to focus on network management and customer service, while benefiting from BBN Airlines Thailand’s operational flexibility and reliability.

“This partnership represents a key milestone for BBN Airlines Thailand as we roll out flexible capacity solutions to Thailand and the region,” said Martynas Grigas, Chairman of BBN Airlines Thailand. “We are delighted to welcome Vietjet Thailand as our first ACMI partner and confident our support will align with their operational needs, especially as we enter the busy holiday season.”

To maintain consistent service standards, onboard operations will be jointly managed. Each wet-leased flight will feature a Vietjet Thailand cabin representative to ensure service delivery aligns with the airline’s expectations while coordinating with BBN Airlines Thailand’s crew.

The launch of this partnership aligns with strong recovery trends across Thailand’s aviation and tourism sectors. Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) reported more than 68 million passengers through its six main airports in the first half of fiscal 2025—an increase of 12% year on year. Domestic traffic alone accounted for over 26 million passengers.

International tourism has also surged, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recording 16.7 million arrivals between January and June 2025, supported by a 7% year-on-year growth in inbound seat capacity. These figures reflect Thailand’s return to pre-pandemic performance and renewed momentum as a leading travel destination.

With rising demand, domestic mobility, and expanding regional opportunities, the ACMI partnership offers a timely, cost-effective solution for boosting capacity without long-term fleet commitments. Both airlines believe this collaboration will support reliable, flexible services for travellers and reinforce Thailand’s position as a growing aviation and tourism hub.