Thai Airways will not extend LCC contract JV with Tiger Airways

Thai Airways will not extend its budget airline contract, which will expire in Oct-2011, with Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd, effectively terminating their alliance, according to chairman Ampon Kittiampon. According to a Bangkok Post report, Mr Kittiampon stated Thai's planned new regional airline, Thai Smile, would help replace the Tiger alliance. The move to terminate the alliance with Tiger was expected by CAPA. [more - analysis]