Thai Smile, a subsidiary of Thai Airways International, took delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft on 28 June.
Powered by IAE V2527-A5 engines, the carrier will initially start operations with services from Bangkok to Macau, before operating on domestic routes to Krabi, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani and Phuket. It plans to "service the market gap between low-cost and full service airlines," says Thai Smile's managing director Woranate Laprabang.
The airline's first six aircraft are leased from SMBC Aviation Capital. The remaining five aircraft, which are bought directly from Airbus, will be equipped with sharklet wing tips.
Thai Smile is expected to take delivery of 11 A320 aircraft by 2015.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
