Cabinet gives green light to "Thai Smile Airways"

BANGKOK, September 25 (TNA) - The Cabinet has approved the establishment of "Thai Smile Airways", a new subsidiary of Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, with its initial capital of 1.8 billion baht. Deputy Government Spokesman Chalitrat Chantarubeksa told journalists that the Cabinet made the approval, as proposed by the Ministry of Transport, at its weekly meeting in Bangkok on Tuesday. According to the approved plan, "Thai Smile Airways", once established, will be a state enterprise fully financed by THAI. The subsidiary airline will also initally recruit employees from THAI and will operate on 14 regional routes in lieu of those of THAI. The deputy spokesman said Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinwatra has suggested that both the THAI and Thai Smile Airways' boards develop clear management strategies of the two airlines separately in order to avoid their operational redundancy. (TNA)