Thai Tiger entitled to use foreign-registered aircraft and crew for launch

Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) stated Thai Tiger is entitled to use foreign-registered aircraft and overseas cockpit crew to launch operations in Thailand (Bangkok Post, 05-Aug-2010). The statement came after comments that the carrier's plans to operate with Singapore-registered aircraft and crew would be as good as providing domestic air traffic rights to a foreign carrier. According to DCA regulations, Thai start-ups were permitted to use foreign aircraft and crew to operate domestic services for up to 12 months, after which they must operate Thai-registered aircraft operated by Thai pilots. Thai Airways stated it plans to have Thai nationals operating its aircraft when it launches Thai Tiger in 1Q2011, with recruitment of staff and other personnel, including a CEO, to commence in the next two months, or when the LCC's business plan is finalised.