Thai Tiger to acquire 15 new A320s in 2011 and 2012

Thai Tiger plans to acquire 15 new A320 aircraft in 2011 and 2012 to be delivered ahead of its launch (Reuters, 02-Aug-2010). Thai Airways President Piyasvasti Amranand stated the LCC market is "growing very fast" and this is the carrier's chance to "help fill the hole before we lose more opportunities to rivals" (Malaysia Business Times, 03-Aug-2010). Tiger Airways President and CEO, Tony Davis, stated the Asian LCC market has plenty of room to grow over the next five years. Mr Amranand has defended THAI's plans to launch the LCC, with Tiger Airways, to the Thai Government (Bangkok Post, 03-Aug-2010). The new LCC is to be established on the Ryanair model. Transport Minister, Sohpon Zarum, was disappointed in the carrier's "haste" to establish a new airline, as he was only informed of the plan on 29-Jul-2010 and was not provided time to study the plan. Mr Sophon demanded an explanation from THAI, as the ministry will have to take responsibility for the LCC if it is unable to generate a profit.

Tiger Airways: "The competition in Asia is still very small compared to Europe and the US. The market will be six times bigger than Europe, but with very few local airlines. It's far from saturated," Tony Davis, President and CEO. Source: Tony Davis, President and CEO.