Thai Smile to Cease Operations by End of 2023

Thai Smile (WE, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) is set to conclude all operations and shut down by December 31, 2023, as announced by Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi), its parent entity. The move marks the end of Thai Smile’s operations and the ‘WE’ coded flights after eleven years under the Thai Smile brand.

The closure is part of Thai Airways’ strategic plans to streamline operations and improve service efficiency within the Thai aviation sector. The parent company will take over any remaining routes from Thai Smile starting January 1, 2024, with the process expected to be finalized by January 31.

As the integration progresses, Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri emphasized that all existing reservations with Thai Smile would transfer to Thai Airways. The LCC’s website will remain active until December 15, and the call center will continue to operate until December 31, after which callers will be redirected to the Thai Airways desk.

Thai Smile, initially operating a fleet of twenty A320-200s, has seen a reduction in its fleet size to less than ten aircraft as Thai Airways reabsorbs these assets. The parent company has gradually taken over Thai Smile’s routes, including flights to destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Gaya, Udon Thani, Krabi, Siem Reap, and others.

Thai Airways, currently undergoing financial and operational recovery, foresees exiting the court-supervised rehabilitation and restructuring process in the coming year. The move aligns with the airline’s goal to achieve a solid financial standing and relist on the Thai Stock Exchange in the subsequent year.