Thai Airways International is entering the burgeoning Asian low-cost airline sector with the launch of a budget carrier next summer.
Low fare airline Thai Smile Air is due to take to the air in July 2012 with tickets expected to go on sale early in the new year. The start-up will operate a fleet of 11 Airbus A320s capable of carrying 174 passengers.
Thai Smile will serve secondary short haul routes with less than two hours flying time from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. The airline will initially fly to domestic destinations such as Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, and Surat Thani, with international services due in 2013.
Thai Airways stressed that the plans were in addition to a deal with Tiger Airways. “Thai Smile will not affect Thai’s plans to also launch Thai Tiger Airways, a discount carrier in partnership with Singapore’s Tiger Airways, which will materialise as soon as possible,” a spokesman said.
“Thai Smile Air will operate using Thai’s TG airline code, and will be appropriately priced to ensure the product is competitive in the airline market.
“The name Thai Smile Air was selected from more than 2,000 entries from Thai employees, and I think the confirmed name suits our proposed concept of being ‘trendy, friendly, and worthy travel’.”