Plans for Thai Airways’ low-cost carrier partnership with Tiger Airways have been revived, after the country’s new transport head expressed support for the venture.
Transport minister Sukampol Suwannathat announced he would back a no-frills carrier in partnership with Tiger Airways alongside the "light premium midrange" Thai Wings (see story here). “Any legal obstacles could later be removed,” he told local media, referring to the recent rejection of the plan based on concerns that it would cannibalise Nok Air’s performance, which Thai Airways currently has a stake in.
The proposal to partner with Tiger Airways was first presented last year (see story here) and has since faced obstacles.
Suwannathat, who became transport minister under Yingluck Shinawatra’s new government, said: “I will need to consider the business plans in detail, and if they are well substantiated, there is no reason to block them.”
With this positive development, alongside its ongoing fleet modernisation plans (see story here), Thai Airways hopes to win back lost market share by covering all sectors and providing products that are en par with other players in the industry.
For more information, visit www.thaiairways.com
Alisha Haridasani
