THAI to cut costs by selling decommissioned jet-liners

By THE NATION

 

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) has accelerated its plan to reduce the fleet size and sell off retired aircraft, aiming to axe related costs, said Cherdphan Chotikhun, executive vice president of THAI’s Technical Department.

 

 

The flag carrier recently decommissioned 22 aircraft from its 100-strong fleet. The retired planes consist of 10 Boeing 747s, six Boeing 777-200 ER and six Boeing 777-300. All will be put on sale to cut the airline’s maintenance costs.

 

It has suspended most flights until the end of May after a travel ban imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30387132

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-05-02

 

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Good luck selling those with the current situation. Most people will be too scared to sit on a train let alone a plane after the blatant media scaremongering.

Even better, sell the board. Oh, silly me, no-one would take them.

47 minutes ago, sprq said:

Even better, sell the board. Oh, silly me, no-one would take them.

Sell the planes to whom?

In these times, selling any old airplane will be next to impossible. Unless they sell it with huge discount. Not a trait they're famous for.

 

Lease new airplanes rather than buy, will tie up less capital. Although face will be lost.

 

Sack all executives on the board, remove all privileges to VIP. Hire people with background in aviation, and previous track record of turning around companies. Use international head hunter to find the best qualified CEO.

Ahhhh if they only would listen.

Well you got to laugh at such stupidity, going to sell decommissioned planes at the moment.

The world is going to be over flowing with planes, some a lot more modern than what Thai are trying to part with.

Maybe Thais gimmick will be.... Buy 1 get 1 free.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

put on sale

don't you mean fire sale .......  and who's going to buy them when most other airlines are near bankrupt and asking for bailouts. Even after 6-12 months there won't be anywhere near the same number or people travelling.

17 minutes ago, Tiger1980 said:

Sell the planes to whom?

Maybe the Royal Thai Air Force will show some interest!

It does sound as if they are trying to get out of the aircraft owning scene, and concentrate on leasing.

 

However - it is not exactly a sellers market at the moment, or for the foreseeable future. Their track record on selling surplus aircraft (A340s) is not exactly good.

7 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Maybe the Royal Thai Air Force will show some interest!

Yep, I can see the headlines now, 'THAI AIR FORCE STARTS NEW AIRLINE', military and family, retired and serving 99% discount and priority for bus. and first class seats.

 

What a great idea...

 

But wait up, this idea has been floated several times before, and failed.

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by scorecard

They,'ve obviously seen the writing on the wall

35 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Well you got to laugh at such stupidity, going to sell decommissioned planes at the moment.

The world is going to be over flowing with planes, some a lot more modern than what Thai are trying to part with.

Maybe Thais gimmick will be.... Buy 1 get 1 free.

Should that be: Fly one get one free?

(sorry!)

Well their track record of selling decommissioned aircraft in the best of times isn't exactly stellar.

 

The A340-500's are still languishing, after how many years of trying to offload them?

 

Doesn't exactly bode well for the latest crack scheme, especially when most airlines are simply trying to survive by parking up their fleet, let alone buying more aircraft.

 

Being in the aviation business, I sometimes have to wonder what virtual aviation world does TG management live in?

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by GinBoy2

The stupidity at it's best as always.. 

 

I really hope TAT read thai visa comments..

 

2 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Maybe the Royal Thai Air Force will show some interest!

something else they can crash into the Korat mountains, or leave to rot on the ground as no one is competent to fly them. . 

I may get one to put in my front garden as an ornament to stupidity and hubris. I am prepared to pay upward of 10,000 Baht for one?  

2 hours ago, OnTheGround said:

In these times, selling any old airplane will be next to impossible. Unless they sell it with huge discount. Not a trait they're famous for.

 

Lease new airplanes rather than buy, will tie up less capital. Although face will be lost.

 

Sack all executives on the board, remove all privileges to VIP. Hire people with background in aviation, and previous track record of turning around companies. Use international head hunter to find the best qualified CEO.

Ahhhh if they only would listen.

The Thai board is like a retirement home for ex RTAF personnel. (Not airline people).

They should get a few bob selling them for scrap,thats

they only way they are going to get rid of them.

regards Worgeordie

I see that Singapore airlines are dumping there aircraft in the middle of Australia maybe thai can do the same and send back the Aussies that want to go back  but that would be thinking too much

Okay, I'll have a dozen. Nicely wrapped, please. How much? Can I pay with Chinese-made submarines?

Before anything happens the entire board need to go.

 

Good article here with quotes from Chamsri Sukchotrat, the former president of the Thai Airways Union.

 

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/economy/former-union-leader-calls-for-total-overhaul-at-thai-airways

43 minutes ago, ozz1 said:

I see that Singapore airlines are dumping there aircraft in the middle of Australia maybe thai can do the same and send back the Aussies that want to go back  but that would be thinking too much

SIA "dumping there aircraft in the middle of Australia"?

I don't think so. Perhaps you mean SIA are storing their aircraft in very aircraft friendly dry conditions with an extremely rigorous maintenance programme in place?

You are correct in thinking Thai should do the same though, but they might not wish to pay the not inconsiderable cost and prefer to let their fleet deteriorate in the lovely humid conditions of DMK or SVG, just like the A340's.

you see the thing about selling aircraft is you need proper maintenance records or they are almost worthless. 

No doubt some will end up here in Victorville Ca, for a nice retirement with their friends in the desert.

Those bored members at Thai Airways need to wake up and smell the cold coffee. The party's over gentlemen, it's not going back to the old ways. 

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by ratcatcher

The engines will have value, but may already be leased under 'power by the hour' contracts that most airlines use.  The older air frames, without the engines and electronics, are almost worthless, scrap value at best.  In  this present market, I doubt they will even get that value out of them. 

Who's talking about a discount? They'll do what they always do - no demand? Raise the price! Thai Economics 101.

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by PerkinsCuthbert

3 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Maybe the Royal Thai Air Force will show some interest!

 

1 hour ago, GinBoy2 said:

The A340-500's are still languishing, after how many years of trying to offload them?

 

I think the RTAF did buy one (1) A340-500 from TG back in 2016.

 

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/46388-royal-thai-air-force-acquires-an-a340

 

HS-TYV | Airbus A340-541

 

https://www.planespotters.net/photos/fleet/Royal-Thai-Air-Force/Airbus/A340-500

 

Seen often at MUC.

 

Flew on this model, BKK-JFK, direct non-stop (award in J), 17-ish hours.

 

 

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by mtls2005

10 minutes ago, ratcatcher said:

No doubt some will end up here in Victorville Ca, for a nice retirement with their friends in the desert.

 

No room?

 

Recent flyover...

 

 

Just imagine how cheap they will have to be to sell them now.

 

Flying bar anyone?  You could get around the alcohol bans by flying over them.

 

A 747 soapy massage parlour could also be a good business.

 

Duty free mile high soapy with no licensing hours.  Could buy cut price Air Asia uniforms for the cabin crew.

 

And if the air hostesses were naked, I might even watch the safety demonstration for the first time ever .... especially the whistle part.

 

Extra charge for aisle seats too.

 

12 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

And if the air hostesses were naked, I might even watch the safety demonstration for the first time ever .... especially the whistle part.

 I LOVE the little tilt of the head and pout when they do the whistle demo.