Thai Tiger Airways launch could be delayed

Thai Airways Chairman Ampon Kittiampon stated the launch of Thai Tiger Airways may be delayed by up to two months due to complications with Tiger Airways and the Thai Government (Bangkok Post, 19-Oct-2010). Mr Kittiampon stated Thai requires more time to complete negotiations with Tiger over the JV. He stated the two are talking "dollars and cents" to ensure the JV's business plan will be effective and the carrier will be competitive. Thai recently appointed LEK Consulting Co to develop a business plan for TTA. A formal JV agreement between Thai and Tiger is still yet to be signed. The Chairman added the carrier is facing legal opposition from the Thai Transport Ministry as to whether the LCC is legitimate. TTA is yet to apply for an operating licence from the Thai Department of Civil Aviation. The LCC was expected to launch operations in Mar-2011.

Thai Airways: "Of course, in everything there is a contingency for 30-45 days [in delaying the venture]. Nonetheless, I'm still confident that by March next year TTA will be able to take to the skies. Let me be very clear, I'm not signalling that Thai should revise the TTA plan. The [Thai] board will not intervene [on the issue], but rather is looking at the policy [regarding TTA establishment] that was already approved," Ampon Kittiampon, Chairman. Source: Bangkok Post, 19-Oct-2010.