NokScoot SWOT: SIA affiliation a strength, fleet a weakness

NokScoot was established in late 2013 as a JV between Thailand's Nok and Singapore's Scoot. The airline commenced operations in early 2015 with charter flights using two 415-seat 777-200s based at Bangkok Don Mueang.

A third 777-200 had joined the fleet by the time NokScoot began scheduled flights in May-2015. It then did not expand its fleet for over two years. NokScoot finally added a fourth 777 in Oct-2017 and a fifth aircraft in Apr-2018.

NokScoot is planning to accelerate fleet expansion significantly over the next year. It has committed to taking two 737-800s in 4Q2018, which will be used to supplement 777s on existing routes to China and Taiwan. NokScoot plans to add another four 737s in 2019, as well as two more widebody aircraft, resulting in a fleet of 13 aircraft at the end of 2018 compared to only five aircraft currently.