Thai Smile (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) is to begin operating under its own Air Operators Certificate (AOC) later this month Thai Airways’ acting president, Chokchai Panyayong, has disclosed. Speaking to CAPA, Chokchai also noted that its subsidiary would begin using its own IATA code - "WE" - at about the same time.
As such, the transition to a separate flight-code means Thai Smile flights will no longer be a counted under Star Alliance as happened previously when it operated using parent Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) flight numbers.
As a Thai subsidiary, the carrier will however continue to be part of its parent's frequent flier programme, Royal Orchid Plus.
Thai Smile currently operates sixteen A320-200s operating on domestic routes in Thailand as well as international services to Chongqing, Delhi International, Hyderabad International, Macau International and Phnom Penh.
