BBN Airlines Thailand, Thailand’s first specialized ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) operator, has announced Vietjet Thailand as its inaugural partner airline, marking the start of commercial operations for the carrier.
The ACMI partnership, which began on December 1, 2025, sees BBN Airlines Thailand supplying one Airbus A320 aircraft for Vietjet Thailand’s domestic services between Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Chiang Mai and Phuket.
BBN Airlines Thailand received its Air Operator Certificate in October 2025. The airline previously operated under the name Thai SmartLynx during its development phase before commencing full services under its current branding.
Partnership details
Under the arrangement, BBN Airlines Thailand will provide the aircraft in a 180-seat economy configuration, along with experienced flight and cabin crew, maintenance services, and insurance coverage. This will allow Vietjet Thailand to focus on network management and customer experience while benefiting from operational flexibility.
“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,” Grigas added.
To maintain service quality, onboard services on the wet-leased flights will be managed jointly. A Vietjet Thailand cabin representative will be present on each flight to ensure services meet the airline’s standards while coordinating with BBN Airlines Thailand’s crew and staff.
Timing amid strong travel recovery
The partnership comes as Thailand’s aviation and tourism sectors experience robust recovery. According to recent data from Airports of Thailand (AOT),in the first half of fiscal 2025, more than 68 million passengers passed through its six main airports, representing a 12% year-on-year increase. Domestic traffic alone accounted for more than 26 million passengers.
International tourism has also surged, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recording over 16.7 million arrivals between January and June 2025. This growth has been supported by a 7% year-on-year increase in inbound seat capacity, signaling Thai tourism’s return to pre-pandemic strength.
With rising travel demand and expanding regional tourism opportunities, the ACMI partnership provides airlines with a flexible capacity solution without requiring long-term commitments or significant capital investment.
Both BBN Airlines Thailand and Vietjet Thailand believe the arrangement will help deliver reliable service to domestic travelers while supporting Thailand’s continued growth as a major aviation and tourism hub.
BBN Airlines Thailand is a partner of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider.
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