Thailand pitches EEC aviation hub to New Zealand’s NZAero

Thailand has invited New Zealand aircraft manufacturer NZAero to invest in advanced aviation technology and establish aircraft manufacturing and maintenance operations in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas extended the invitation while accompanying Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on a visit to NZAero, a leading New Zealand manufacturer of light aircraft.

Ekniti said Thailand planned to develop a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre in the EEC and was prepared to facilitate prospective investment through a Fast Track process designed to remove obstacles and accelerate project approvals.

“Thailand has been an NZAero customer and has purchased aircraft from the company for many years,” Ekniti said.

“During our discussion with its executives, we invited the company to invest in an aircraft manufacturing plant and maintenance centre in Thailand because we already have an MRO project planned for the EEC.”

Anutin signals interest in more training aircraft

During Anutin’s official visit to New Zealand on August 21-22, the Thai delegation toured NZAero’s facilities and aircraft at Ardmore Airport in Auckland.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon personally accompanied Anutin and the delegation during the visit to the company’s hangar.

The two prime ministers also sat together in the cockpit of a CT-4E training aircraft, with Anutin in the pilot’s seat.

Anutin said he would ask the Royal Thai Air Force to consider purchasing additional training aircraft from NZAero for use in pilot instruction.

NZAero has longstanding ties with Thai Air Force

NZAero has more than 70 years of experience in commercial aircraft manufacturing and has maintained a longstanding relationship with the Royal Thai Air Force.

The relationship has centred particularly on the CT-4 trainer aircraft, known in Thailand by the nickname “The Chicken”.

The aircraft has served Thai aviation for 54 years and has been used to train more than 3,500 pilots since 1973.

NZAero has delivered approximately 70 aircraft to Thailand. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great personally received the second aircraft produced on the company’s production line.

MoU supports Thailand’s CT-4 fleet

During the visit, Anutin and Luxon witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Top Flying Limited and NZAero.

The agreement focuses on comprehensive maintenance and support for the Royal Thai Air Force’s CT-4 fleet.

Cooperation will cover aircraft maintenance, engineering support for upgrades, spare-parts and supply-chain management, knowledge exchange, training and the development of future capabilities.

The partnership aims to ensure that Thailand’s CT-4 fleet can continue operating safely, reliably and efficiently while remaining ready to support the training of future generations of Royal Thai Air Force pilots.