Thai Airways’ “light premium” business unit, Thai Smile (WE) has received the Air Operator Certificate from Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation. Therefore, effective immediately, the carrier will operate its domestic flights using the airline code “WE”, followed by a three-digit flight number.
Meanwhile, the old “TG” airline code will still be used for all domestic and international flights. This is because Thai Airways codeshares on all of Thai Smiles’ services, and will therefore continue to place its “TG” code onboard all flights operated by WE.
A Thai Smile-operated flight is easily distinguishable from those operated by Thai Airways. Even if it does carry the “TG” code, this will be followed by a four-digit flight number. In contrast, services that are operated by Thai Airways will feature flight codes with only three digits.
The introduction of the new airline code is in line with Thai Airway’s desire to see its light premium brand operate as a separate carrier (see here). Business Traveller Asia-Pacific spoke to Dr Sorajak Kasemsuvan, Thai Airways president in 2012, who said: “Over the course of [the] next [few years], Thai Smile will spin off as a subsidiary, with Thai Airways owning 100 per cent of the shares. But it will fly on its own code."
Thai Smile currently serves 10 domestic routes from its base in Bangkok, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket. In addition, it services seven international destinations: Macau, Mandalay, Chongqing, Colombo, Hyderabad, Phnom Penh and Delhi. Starting from October 26, Thai Smile will also begin operating flights to Vientiene.
For more information, visit www.thaismileair.com
Clement Huang
