THAI's Smile Air poised for relocation to Don Mueang [The Nation]

 

 

Thai Airways International Plc has prepared its budget Thai Smile Air for take-off from Don Mueang International Airport on August 8 to snatch passengers from low-cost competitors.

 

The flag carrier will zero in on the high-margin premium market from Japan, China and Europe as part of the first phrase of its business rehabilitation plan while aiming to regain customers from official organisations and big companies in the country.

 

The airline is moving quickly on revising its revamp plan to focus on boosting revenue and cutting costs before submitting it to the Finance Ministry and the National Council of Peace and Order.

 

 

It was mentioned in todays Thailand News, but only as a line item and not for discussion.

 

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Well, that's not exactly mentioned on their website. If you go to the ThaiSmile website flights after 8 August still operate from Suvarnabhumi apparently.

There certainly is some confusion.

 

From the News Forum, it says that 'Flights to/from Phuket,Chiangmai,Khon Kaen'

 

I suppose the heads up just reminds us to check the the egress Airport.

On a different note ... anyone got any gossip on the supposed relocation of Singapores Budget carrier Scoot Airlines from Swampy over to Don Mueang?

Personally I don't really see the logic of it.

 

TG already have part-owned Nok Air operating out of DMK, do they really want to compete with themselves ?

 

And where they've been using Thai Smile to replace larger THAI planes to Chiang Mai & Phuket, are they now happy to upset the people who need to get to Swampy, for a longer-haul flight out ?

 

THAI will have deliberately reduced frequency of domestic-connections, for their international-passengers, how can that be good for THAI ?

 

IMO there's more to 'snatching passengers from low-cost competitors', than just switching from BKK to DMK, they will also have to compete much more closely on price.

 

Can Thai-Smile really do that, are their costs really as low as Air Asia Thailand's or Thai Lion or Nok Air ?

 

I think there's a danger that, in the rush to regain face and regain customers already lost to LCCs, THAI may lose sight of the fact that they're a full-service airline hubbed at BKK.

Have to say Thai Smile has now lost the plot, shame as a good alternative to BKK Air.

Just to add, I'll bet Bangkok Airways are cheering this move, if it does take place !

 

They are the obvious winner !

Thai Smile will now face the competitive edge of the likes of Air Asia who I will be using If I have to trek to Don Muang.

 

No more interconnection with Thai to london. 

Thai smile will do well to offer direct flights to Oz, at the moment, there are only 2 carriers,

namely Jetstar and TG offering such service..

The army is in charge and they are punting a chunk of the national carriers domestic traffic over to RTAF-owned Don Meuang.... quelle surprise... NOT!

Edited July 31, 201411 yr by NanLaew

Thai smile will do well to offer direct flights to Oz, at the moment, there are only 2 carriers,

namely Jetstar and TG offering such service..

 

Air Asia made some mumblings about offering up that (direct flights to Oz) earlier this year, but I'm yet to see any follow through.
 

On a different note ... anyone got any gossip on the supposed relocation of Singapores Budget carrier Scoot Airlines from Swampy over to Don Mueang?

It's been reported that Scoot are due to operate in and out of Don Mueang from 1st September.

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/scoots-move-don-mueang-international-airport-promises-better-connecti

On a different note ... anyone got any gossip on the supposed relocation of Singapores Budget carrier Scoot Airlines from Swampy over to Don Mueang?

It's been reported that Scoot are due to operate in and out of Don Mueang from 1st September.

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/scoots-move-don-mueang-international-airport-promises-better-connecti

Last week Nok operated there new Nok/Scoot 777 into Chiang Mai from Don Muang. Only did a couple of flights. It will be interesting to see what international destinations they fly to.

What a mess.

With a seven days advance warning they move flights from Khon Kaen to Don Mueang.

 

Not only destination but also times are shifted significantly (e.g. 1 hour later).

A mate with an international connection had to rebook and will now have a good seven hours to spend at Suv,

All happened during today, In the morning you could make reservations for Suv which where cancelled later in the day.

 

At the Thai Airways website (for code share) you still can not select DMK as a destination (only BKK Suv), but anyway will see flights to DMK. At the same time the Thai Smile website now allows DMK as a destination.

An aimless mess!

 

Thai Smile flights can not be paid at the ATM in Thailand as TG flights.

Credit card only, Making it practically impossible to book flights for others (in case you don't live close to a TG office/airport).

 

AirAsia e.g. allows direct debit from my SCB account.

 

I fully agree with member @Ricardo.

It was an important feature that this low cost airline flew to Suv.

Now they will be killed by the real low cost competition at DMK.

 

Edited August 1, 201411 yr by KhunBENQ

<snip for brevity>

 

I fully agree with member @Ricardo.

It was an important feature that this low cost airline flew to Suv.

Now they will be killed by the real low cost competition at DMK.

 

 

Thanks

 

And any losses made by Thai Smile, through failing-to-compete on cost/price with their LCC-competitors at DMK, will help drag THAI down financially even faster.

 

This is a long way, from the original vision for Thai Smile, of a low-cost regional airline, with little/no domestic operations.

I think it's a win-win, thai smile & nok air route sharing will free up planes, cut costs for both carriers, 20kg free baggage allowance, if they transferred your baggage between flights, free seating, all bonuses !All things you don.t get with A.A. (my last domestic choice)

As for don muang it has to be the most usefull, best LCC hub in the region, now also with scoot & nok air partnering means more choices from oz.

great stuff.

regards Songhklasid.