Thai Airways Eyes 30 Widebody Airplane Order: What Will It Pick?

With travel demand back in full swing, Thai Airways International has initiated its plans to acquire up to 30 new aircraft. The Bangkok-based airline has reported by Bloomberg that it will send its requests to significant aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, with intentions to receive aircraft by 2026.

Pre-pandemic, the tourist-reliant carrier had over 100 aircraft in its fleet; this has been shaved down to 55 today, according to ch-aviation data. With expected deliveries, leases, and orders will boost this to 114 by 2027.

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Airbus A350 enroute

The airline currently has 11 A350s on order, which are expected to be delivered starting in 2024, further aiding the carrier's rebound and growth. Currently, the airline is operating at 65-70% in load factors. However, it aims for quality over quantity, as it sees the most robust demand from markets in Europe and Australia.

With the fleet having an average age of 11.7 years, the oldest jets on Thai Airways' (TG) books are its four Airbus A330-300s, six Boeing 777-200ER, and 17 777-300ER. Could an order add to its current 13 Airbus A350 or eight B787?

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No more A380

Frequently overlooked as an A380 operator, the carrier once had six on its books. However, these were quickly retired during the pandemic as the airline looked to cut costs fast. Historically, Thai Airways has sent its A380s to five flagship destinations; Frankfurt, London, Osaka, Paris, and Tokyo; however, these have since been operated by other aircraft in the fleet.

TG is also missing at a few ports post-pandemic, including Auckland International Airport (AKL), a route it started in 1987. It was the longest-serving airline in New Zealand before the pandemic. Kiwis are patiently waiting for the airline's return; however, the carrier hasn't identified its intent to reconnect Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and its hub in Bangkok. With an enlarged fleet, could we see the airline return?

Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying

The state-owned airline is firmly focused on reinvigorating for the future, with the government firm ensuring the airline succeeds post-pandemic. Thai Airways' was also once an operator of the 'Queen of the Skies.' Before the pandemic, the airline operated a fleet of nine active 747-400s. It had planned to retire these aircraft by 2024. However, due to COVID-19, this timeline was brought forward four years, and they were parked in 2020.

Thai Smile merger

On May 18th, Thai Airways confirmed its intent to merge its regional subsidiary Thai Smile (WE) into the airline to reduce costs by the end of the year. Chief Executive of Thai Airways, Chai Eamsiri, who recently took up the post last year after serving as the carrier CFO, noted in a press conference in Istanbul that the airline would like to add the A321neo to the Thai Smile subsidiary, further strengthening its offering.

The airline's intentions will undoubtedly come to light once aircraft orders are made public, with Thai Airways will soon re-delivering its superb service on new aircraft to various international destinations.

Sources: Bloomberg, ch-Aviation