Thai Tiger Airways could face launch delay; Ministry refers plan back to Thai Airways

Thailand's Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Supoj Suplom stated he has referred plans for the establishment of Thai Tiger Airways back to Thai Airways due to vagueness (Bangkok Post, 23-Dec-2010). He stated: "The whole plan lacks details on issues like return on investment, strategy, route expansion and fleet expansion, so we asked them to furnish us with that vital data." Thai Airways submitted the plan with a request to use THY100 million (USD3.3 million) from its normal investment fund as its initial capital for the establishment of the LCC, which will be 51% owned by Thai Airways and 49% by Tiger Airways. Mr Supoj stated the carrier needs to provide more details on where it would obtain its funds for the carrier, adding that the airline is required to submit these details to the Ministry before the plan is considered by the National Economic and Social Development Board and the Cabinet. The earliest possible date for such consideration is Feb-2011. This will likely delay the launch of the carrier from the initially intended 1Q2011 launch.