Bangkok-based Thai Airways International is bracing for a significant growth spurt. In a recent conversation with Reuters, Thai Airways Chief Executive Chai Eamsiri unveiled plans to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 30 widebody jets and an unspecified amount of narrowbody ones. Further complementing this plan, the airline will also be leasing twelve A321-200Ns, set to be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
Taking to the Skies with More Aircraft
In the upcoming days, Thai Airways International is going to dispatch tenders to leading aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing. Even though Chai remained tight-lipped about the exact number of narrowbody aircraft included in this process, he underlined the company’s aspiration to expand its narrowbody fleet to 30-40 aircraft within the next ten years.
Currently, Thai Airways International runs twenty A320-200s through its subsidiary, Thai Smile, also located in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. There are plans in motion to integrate this subsidiary back into the mainline, accompanied by the addition of twelve A321neo aircraft in the upcoming years.
Strengthening Regional Market Positions
This expansion in the narrowbody fleet size is part of the strategy to bolster Thai Airways’ standing in regional markets. These markets include Southeast Asia, India, southern China, and southern Japan, areas where, according to Chai, the airline’s presence is currently underwhelming.
As the Thai market experiences a faster-than-anticipated bounce back, Thai Airways finds itself limited by its current aircraft inventory. In addition to the RFP for 30 widebody aircraft, Chai confirmed the airline’s plans to acquire roughly ten new widebody planes on a dry lease, with deliveries expected by the first quarter of 2024.
Broadening Horizons with a Diverse Fleet
At present, Thai Airways International’s fleet comprises a variety of aircraft, including three A330-300s, fourteen A350-900s, six B777-200ERs, seventeen B777-300(ER)s, six B787-8s, and two B787-9s. By the first quarter of 2024, the airline foresees its widebody fleet swelling to 56 aircraft.
Bouncing Back Stronger
Thai Airways, having undergone bankruptcy restructuring amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has its sights set on a strong recovery. Chai revealed the airline’s intent to relist on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) by the first quarter of 2025, or even earlier, should the company’s performance prove favorable enough.
Navigating the skies post-pandemic, Thai Airways International is powering through with an impressive expansion plan. As the airline’s fleet grows, so too does its resolve to meet the rising demand of regional markets. The journey ahead is not without challenges, but with a steady course and clear vision, Thai Airways International is all set for takeoff.
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