The new mid-tier airline will be named Thai Smile, Chairman Ampon Kittiampon told reporters.

In May, the airline said it planned to launch the new airline in March or April 2012.

The mid-tier carrier is part of Thai Airways' expansion plan, an effort to turn itself around after years of losing market share in a region where swelling middle classes, fast economic growth and liberalised air policies provide opportunities for higher earnings.

Copyright Reuters, 2011