Thai Airways and Nok Air signed MoU for codesharing and a two brand strategy
Thai Airways and Nok Air signed an MoU for codesharing and development of a two-brand strategy, as part of plans to more effectively compete with foreign LCCs entering Thailand (The Nation, 24-Feb-2010). The agreement allows Nok to operate more domestic services, and the two carriers will codeshare on Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son, Bangkok Don Mueang-Phitsanulok and Don Mueang-Ubon Ratchathani services from 01-Mar-2010. Thai plans to provide Nok with another aircraft for the operations, increasing the number of aircraft leased to the carrier to four. Nok Air also plans to resume international services in the next two years.
Nok Air: "Many low-cost airlines, such as Jetstar of Australia, AirAsia of Malaysia and Tiger Airlines of Singapore, are gaining from the open-sky scheme by trying to expand their business in Thailand, so we must prevent the move," Patee Sarasin, CEO. Source: The Nation, 24-Feb-2010.