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The news actually is not surprised any longer because since Lion Air ordered more plans from both biggest airplane maker Boeing and Airbus they seem intensifying to enlarge their market into potential market such as Malaysia, Thailand, Australia etc. Even their last expansion into Malaysia by launching Malindo Airways which is joint venture with Malaysian Business entity.

The Jakarta-based airline itself  has already started recruiting pilots, cabin attendants and ground staff. Thai Lion Air intends to start its operation strongly with the deployment of up to six single-aisle twin-jet Boeing 737-800s and by using Bangkok's Don Mueang airport as its base, according to people with knowledge of the matter, quoting from businessweek.

Woradej Harnprasert, director-general of the Civil Aviation Department, yesterday confirmed Lion Air is launching a Thai subsidiary, although the department has not yet received an application for air operator's certificate. The creation of Thai Lion Air comes in the form of joint venture with Thai entities, which are required by law to have a minimum 51% holding, quoting from businessweek still

If the news is really realized, Lion Air will enter to the highly contested market, it will compete with Thai AirAsia and Nok Air as well. And by this news, absolutely good news for the customers to get much more cheaper and much more quality services because of the competition.

CEO of Lion Air itself Rusdi Kirana in March already told that the airline was still exploring earlier plans to establish subsidiaries in Australia and Thailand. The Executives have also said the airline is considering to open more subsidiaries such as in Myanmar, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia and the Philippines to grow its present over the regional to welcome ASEAN Open Sky, and essentially to absorb its huge aircraft quantity.

Thai, are you on board with Lion?