Thai Airways International has detailed its plans for its new regional carrier, which will operate a fleet of 11 narrowbody aircraft.
The Star Alliance carrier did not specify the aircraft type the new airline will operate, but said that it will fly on "short-haul routes that feed into other routes in the intra-region". Reports said that the airline will operate a fleet of Boeing 737s.
Plans to establish the new carrier were approved at an airline board meeting on 20 May, with reports saying that the new airline could begin operations in March or April 2012.
It will be a new business unit under the company, and will be a full-service carrier, said Thai.
"The regional airline aims to take advantage of the rapidly increasing number of customers looking for value, as well as to prepare for expanding the market when ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] air liberalisation takes effect," it added.
Thai had earlier signed an agreement with Singapore's Tiger Airways to set up a new low-cost carrier, which was initially scheduled to begin operations by March 2011. However, this has been delayed due to the lack of an approval from the Thai government.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
