Thai Smile accelerates its redeployment to Don Mueang

BANGKOK – Thai Smile has difficulties to position itself. First seen as a low fare airline flying to destinations not flown by its parent company Thai Airways International, the carrier then turned increasingly into a simplified subsidiary of TG, taking over less profitable routes of Thailand national carrier thanks to its cheaper cost structure. Over the last two months however, Thai Smile is once more looking again at its strategic positioning. 
 

And it will now operate fully independently from Thai Airways International, shifting until the winter timetable all its flights from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang airport. According to Thai Smile management to the Bangkok Post, the airline hopes to capture 20% of the total passengers market at Don Mueang airport. Meanwhile, Thai Airways will take back four to five Airbus A320 to operate regional flights in connection with its long-haul network. 
 

The first switch of flights to Don Mueang will start tomorrow from Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Phuket. THAI Smile Airways announced yesterday to waive charges for changes to airline tickets issued before 1 August 2014 for travel to and from.
 

Mr. Wiwat Piyawiroj, THAI Vice President, Sales & Distribution, Thailand and Indochina, said that THAI Smile will waive charges on tickets purchased for travel on THAI Smile prior to 1 August 2014. Passengers may change tickets for flights to and from Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, and Phuket, which will depart from Don Mueang Airport, now until 31 August 2014. Details are as follows:

Passengers willing to travel on THAI Smile flights to and from Don Mueang Airport may travel on the date and time specified on the airline ticket. Passengers who are not able to travel on THAI Smile’s flights to and from Don Mueang may do as follows:
 

Passengers can cancel travel plans or get a refund on their airline ticket at no additional charge.

Passengers can change flights to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport for flights operated by THAI without additional charges for flight changes.