Thai Airways continues to pioneer and modernise
Thai Airways has announced the purchase of 37 new aircraft between 2011 and 2017 (Phase 1) and a further 38 aircraft between 2018 and 2022 (Phase 2) at a total cost of around £9.1 billion ensuring it continues to blaze a trail when it comes to comfort and safety in the skies.
THAI’s Board of Directors has approved 11 new narrow-bodied aircraft and 26 wide-bodied aircraft for intercontinental and regional routes at a cost of approximately 216.1 billion baht in the initial phase. Thirty-eight wide-bodied aircraft, costing approximately 241.1 billion baht, will come into operation during Phase 2 (consisting of a firm order of 21 aircraft and an optional order for a further 17 aircraft).
The new aircraft will improve efficiency by replacing ageing aircraft at the same time as increasing fleet size for traffic growth.
The purchase order clearly demonstrates THAI’s commitment to pioneer, remain commercially competitive, and offer the best service possible to its loyal customers. This latest aircraft investment is an addition to previously approved orders of 26 aircraft awaiting imminent delivery: twelve Airbus A330-300, six Airbus A380-800, and eight Boeing 777-300ER.
The ongoing modernisation of THAI’s fleet will reduce fleet age from 11.9 years in 2010 to an average age of 8.5 years in 2017. This will also bring reduced jet fuel consumption at an average of 1.3 percent per year, reduced carbon emissions at an average of 1.5 percent per year, and reduced aircraft maintenance costs at an average of 3.2 percent per year.
Most importantly, the new aircraft will be equipped and fitted with the latest specification, comfortable seating along with modern in-flight entertainment systems to meet the most discerning customers’ needs.
THAI has set a tentative date of September 2012 for the operation of its A380-800 operating on its Bangkok-London service. Bigger individual TV screens will be the big improvement in Economy Class and there will be a total of over 500 seats on this aircraft.
For further information see: thaiairways.co.uk
