THAI Smile to exit Don Mueang

THAI Smile says it will consolidate all operations at Suvarnabhumi airport. THAI Smile is pulling out of Don Mueang, ending its policy of operating simultaneously at 2 airports serving Bangkok. The airline will stop all flights from Don Mueang Jan 16 and move all services to Suvarnabhumi. The carrier described the move as complying with a revised strategy to consolidate operations at Suvarnabhumi and cooperate with the parent airline THAI in pursuing Indian, Chinese and Asean markets. The move represents a dramatic departure from the airline group's strategy dating back to 2014, when it saw the need for THAI Smile to operate at Don Mueang and capture a share of budget airline traffic at the airport. Cost considerations are also a factor in the Don Mueang pull-out. <br/>