THAI scraps plan to launch new low-cost airline

BANGKOK, August 13 (TNA) - Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, has canceled its plan to launch a new low-cost airline next year. THAI board chairman Ampon Kittiampon has confirmed that the THAI board has now resolved not to include the plan to introduce the new budget airline in 2013 in its strategic business plan later this year. Ampon acknowledged that THAI's cabin factor, or the rate of reserved seats on overall THAI flights, was good during the second quarter of this year, but the national airline experienced a financial loss. According to the THAI board chair, the national airline will, therefore, now focus on improving its financial performance, after suffering a loss of some 10.2 billion last year, by emphasizing on its latest sister airline, THAI Smile, which was launched in early July 2012. (TNA)