Thai Airways and Tiger Airways form new low-cost airline THAILAND. Thai Airways International, Thailand’s national airline, and budget carrier Tiger Airways have announced the joint formation of a new low-cost airline called Thai Tiger Airways. The new airline will operate the same low-fare, low-cost model as the other airlines in the Tiger Airways Group, and is expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2011, pending regulatory approvals. Based in Bangkok, Thai Tiger will operate international and domestic flights out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport offering short-haul, point-to-point services within a five-hour flying radius. The route network and further information on the corporate structure will be announced in due course. Thai Airways President Piyasvasti Amranand said: “We are pleased to partner with Tiger Airways in establishing Thailand’s newest airline, Thai Tiger. With its disciplined approach to the low-cost model, Tiger Airways has proven that it has the right approach to competing effectively in the growing low fare travel market in Asia. “For people in Thailand and the region, our launching Thai Tiger will mean that in addition to the global network of premium services operated by Thai Airways, more people will have access to new low-fare point-to- point services, giving a big boost to tourism and employment.” Thai Aiways President Piyasvasti Amranand (left) and Tiger Airways Group President and CEO Tony Davis (right) announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to form a new low-cost airline called Thai Tiger Airways Thai Airways and a Thai entity will collectively hold 51% while Tiger Airways will hold 49%. The Thai Tiger Board will consist of three nominees from Thai Airways and two nominees from Tiger Airways, with the Chairmanship being held by Thai Airways. Amranand added: “We believe that this move will provide revenue opportunities for Thai Airways and allow it to be more competitive in the region with the anticipated growth in the low cost market as a result of continued ASEAN air liberalization policies by 2015 which we expect will lead to growth in air travel in the Asian market. Thai Tiger will offer an entirely different line of products to that offered by Thai Airways.” Tiger Airways Group President and CEO Tony Davis added: “Thai Tiger will be well positioned to offer low fares to even more parts of the Asia Pacific region from its base in Asia’s tourism leader, Thailand. “Bangkok is a key gateway to the whole of Southeast Asia, and from its base at Suvarnabhumi Airport Thai Tiger will be well positioned to also serve destinations in North Asia and the Indian sub-continent. Spreading our pawprint means greater economies of scale for Tiger Airways, which in turn enables us to lower costs and fares even further.” Davis and Ryanasia Principal Declan Ryan will sit on the Board of Thai Tiger as nominees for Tiger Airways. Ryan was one of the founding shareholders of both Tiger Airways and Ryanair. Thai Tiger will operate a consistent Airbus A320 aircraft fleet in line with other airlines in the Tiger Airways Group. Advertisement Image not found or type unknown.