Regulatory issues put Thai Smile’s Bangkok-Cebu launch on hold
Thai Smile postponed for two months its supposed launching of regular flights from Bangkok to Cebu due to regulatory issues.
Instead of the planned launch of Bangkok-Cebu route on May 1, the wholly owned full-service subsidiary of flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) now hopes to commence service on the route on July 1.
Woranate Laprabang, Thai Smile acting chief executive, told Bangkok Post that the launch delay is due to some complications in processing papers with the Philippine authorities, rather than any objection to traffic rights on their part.
“Admittedly, we were not quite familiar with their procedures, resulting in more time required to complete the process,” he said.
According to the airline, they are proposing to serve seven flights a week on the Bangkok-Cebu route using Airbus A320 narrow-body jets.
If this pushes through, Thai Smile will be the only airline flying directly between Thailand’s capital and the Philippines’ Queen City of the South.
- Best date for Thailand to reopen is Dec 15, says top health official - October 18, 2021
- Pinay teacher in Bangkok needs cash donation for her brain surgery - June 17, 2021
- Filipino teacher in Sukhothai breaks collarbone in motorcycle accident - September 9, 2020
