Thai Airways International (THAI) has spun off THAI Smile as an independent company called Thai Smile Airways Co. The airline has applied for its air operator’s certificate that is expected to be received before the end of January next year.
THAI hopes the move will help it to rebound from a net loss of Bt6.313 billion in the first nine months of this year.
THAI Smile’s main focus will be the domestic market using A320-200 aircraft for short-haul flights. The airline could expand to use larger aircraft such as 777s for medium-range flights but this is a second stage of its developing business plan.