Ascent, Asia’s on-demand helicopter service, has announced its launch in Thailand within the year. Customers can now avail of private and by-the-seat helicopter flights within and between activity hubs, such as Bangkok, Chonburi, and Rayong for business or Hua Hin and Pattaya for leisure. With Ascent, customers skip the traffic and access remote locations in a matter of minutes, within a crowd-free and controlled environment, especially as the country emerges from its COVID-19 lockdown. By serving these hubs, Ascent aims at contributing to the growth of businesses and the economy in line with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand 4.0 and Smart City initiatives.

In partnership with pioneer and leading helicopter operators Advance Aviation and SFS Aviation, Ascent users will be able to regain control of their time and enhance their well-being by booking their flights directly from their mobile phones, starting from 8,000 THB per seat. With Ascent, passengers fly on curated aircraft in accordance to COVID-19 related safety protocols such as enhanced aircraft cleaning and frequent health checks on crew.

Mr. Lionel Sinai-Sinelnikoff, Founder and CEO of Ascent said, “The dynamism of Bangkok combined with this new context, make mobility a great challenge for the business community, commuters, and tourists. This in turn affects the economy, the environment and people’s well-being especially in such times. In addition, public economic initiatives like the EEC require enhanced mobility solutions. With Ascent, we believe we can elevate mobility to the skies to better connect locations and skip the traffic seamlessly in a safe, and more affordable manner. We are excited to open this new chapter of Ascent with partners such as Advance Aviation and SFS Aviation, which have driven the industry in Thailand for so long and will ensure our users with the highest operational and safety standards.”

Thailand will now be one of the first few countries in Asia to embrace urban air mobility with Ascent and its partners. “Urban air mobility has been a growing trend in the last few years especially with Ascent in Asia. In line with our focus on private VIP aviation services, our clients can now regain control of their time with Ascent by purchasing flights by the seat, making short-haul trips more cost-efficient, all in a safe environment. This opens up a variety of possibilities including a seamless journey by helicopter from within Bangkok to our base near Suvarnabhumi international airport combined with a private jet to your next location,” said Mr. Chai Nasylvanta, President and CEO of
Advance Aviation.

Mr. Tisanu Ratanarat, CEO of SFS Aviation added, “SFS Aviation has pioneered the operations of helicopters in Thailand. It is natural for us to join Ascent in initiating this next phase of mobility. With our flight options built into Ascent, users can seamlessly purchase flights of SFS Aviation. This is a new mobility solution for many and a complementary service to our existing clients.” SFS supports a broad range of services like oil and gas, chartering, air ambulance and now urban air mobility with its growing and diversified fleet. Ascent offers on-demand flights on its platform where users can book and choose from a roster of listed locations by logging on to www.ascent.flights. They can also complement their journey by availing of value-added services including luggage transport, first and last-mile ground transport and fast track amongst other services, directly from the platform. Ascent has also started offering individual and business packages that can be used regionally across all of Ascent’s solutions, with preferential rates and services.

About Ascent

Ascent is Asia’s first technology-powered urban air mobility service. It is an on-demand helicopter service designed to make cities more connected by moving people safely, seamlessly and affordably by air, using helicopters today and eVTOLs in the future. Ascent already operates in the Philippines with flights between more than 15 hubs of activity including international airports, central business districts, and popular leisure destinations. Users can complement their journey by availing of value-added services including luggage transport, first and last-mile ground transport amongst other services.

With Ascent, passengers regain control of their time, and move in safe private and controlled environments, with flights operated by best-in-class operators such as INAEC Aviation Corp in the Philippines, Advance Aviation and SFS Aviation in Thailand, ensuring the highest operational and safety standards. Ascent is committed to a neutral carbon footprint through ride-sharing on fuel-efficient flights, carbon offsetting with UNFCCC and catalysing the entry of low-emission eVTOLs. Ascent is a company headquartered in Singapore that has launched its operations in cities across the Philippines including the world’s second most congested city, Manila. For more information, please visit www.ascent.flights

About SFS Aviation

SFS Aviation Co., Ltd. is part of a family business group under the ownership of the Ratanarat family. Founded in 1990, SFS Aviation is the first Thai-owned provider of Offshore Helicopter Service for Oil and Gas Companies in Thailand. SFS Aviation is very proud of our Zero Accident track record since inception until today. SFS Aviation has a fleet of Sikorsky S76C+ and AgustaWestland AW139. SFS Aviation is a Leonardo Helicopters Authorized Service Centre and Spare Parts Dealer for Thailand and Myanmar. Safety, service reliability, and customer-responsiveness are the most important qualities that attract customers and support the business growth. SFS Aviation strives to assure these qualities through compliance to high standards, promotion of strong and culturally-adaptable leadership to drive the company under its primary philosophy. For more information, please visit www.sfs.co.th

About Advance Aviation

Advance Aviation began in 2007 as Thailand’s first VIP helicopter charter, initiating operations in Bangkok. Within three years Advance Aviation became the largest civilian helicopter charter in the country in terms of fleet size, market share, and customer service. Advance Aviation offers a nationwide network with bases in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai and remains Thailand’s one and only true VIP helicopter charter. Safety is always Advance Aviation’s ultimate concern, which exclusively operates the award-winning Airbus Helicopters, all purchased new and flown by well-trained and highly experienced pilots. Advance Aviation also took the unique step of developing our maintenance program jointly with Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia; daily maintenance is conducted in-house at its dedicated facility staffed with certified Airbus Helicopters personnel to ensure maximum safety. For more information, please visit www.advanceaviation.co.th