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THAI considers B747 replacement order
June 30th 2017
Thai flag carrier and Star Alliance founding member, Thai Airways International (THAI) is planning to place an order for up to 30 new aircraft, airline chairman, Areepong Bhoocha-Ooom, told Bloomberg. Read More »
The THAI boss said both Airbus and Boeing variants were under consideration.
“The portfolio of our airline will have new aircraft almost 100%,” Areepong said, and added it was the only way to trim the carrier’s fuel bills. THAI’s six A380s would remain an important part of the carrier’s fleet, he also revealed.
THAI’s aircraft are relatively old compared with its legacy peers in the region, particularly Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines. THAI continues to fly 10 B747-400s to Europe, which not only cost a lot of money to operate, but are unpopular with passengers because they are not fitted with lie flat beds or modern IFE. The 57-year-old airline also has six B777-200s, six -200ERs and six -300s which date from the 1990s.
THAI has taken delivery of two A350-900s in 2016 and this year plans to add five more A350s, from an order of 12 XWBs, plus 13 options and ten additional purchase rights.
Industry analysts believe it is too early for THAI to make hefty investments in new aircraft because its has not recovered from four years of losses and is without a permanent chief executive.
