THAI Smile to fly to Macau

 Thai Smile, a light premium airline due for launch this July, will serve Macau as its first destination according the Thai Airways International president, Piyasvasti Amranand.

He was addressing 80 travel executives attending PATA’s first Hub City Forum held at the Landmark Hotel earlier today.

THAI Smile is part of the airline’s latest strategic positioning that calls for the airline to be more competitive  with low-cost and Middle East airlines that have eroded THAI’s yield and market share.

Mr Piyasvasti said the airline was a sub brand under the TG’s management rather than a separate company.

“A sub brand of THAI, it will hire younger cabin crew, all women on a maximum contract of six years and retirement at 30, ” he told delegates mainly leading travel executives based in Thailand.

He confirmed the new venture would have both business and economy classes, with  business class following the flexible European configuration that keeps the centre seat free and uses a curtain to separate it from economy class.

“Quality will be lower, but that is not a problem for shorter flights,” he said.

The airline starts with a service to Macau in July using an Airbus 320s. Four of the A320s will be used to establish the fleet during the first year and 11 aircraft  are due to join the new airline over the first three years.

Source - ttrweekly