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Budget carrier Tiger Airways is forming a new low cost carrier (LCC) with Thai Airways.

Pending regulatory approvals, the new airline will be called Thai Tiger Airways and is expected to start operations in the first quarter of 2011.

Thai Airways and a Thai entity will collectively hold 51 per cent of the new airline, while Tiger Airways will hold 49 per cent.

The Thai Tiger Board will consist of three nominees from Thai Airways and two nominees from Tiger Airways, with the chairmanship being held by Thai Airways.

The new airline will operate the same low fare, low cost model as the Tiger Airways units.

Based in Bangkok, Thai Tiger will operate international and domestic flights out of Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

It will offer short-haul, point-to-point services within a five-hour flying radius.

Tiger Airways CEO, Tony Davis, said the new carrier will be well positioned to serve destinations in North Asia and the Indian sub-continent.

The new carrier will operate a consistent Airbus A320 aircraft fleet, in line with other airlines in the Tiger Airways Group.

channelnewsasia