Thailand’s Aviation Ambitions Faced with Supply Chain Delays

[webfact]

 

Thailand's ambitious plan to become a leading aviation hub in Asia by 2030 is hitting roadblocks, largely due to global supply chain disruptions, as highlighted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

 

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s vision for Thailand to dominate the regional aviation sector by 2030—part of the “Ignite Thailand” initiative—faces significant challenges that may push this target back by several years.

 

At IATA's annual meeting in Dubai, Director-General Willie Walsh acknowledged Thailand's potential but pointed out that the country needs extensive long-term investments, streamlined regulations, and an accelerated push toward digitalisation to enhance efficiency.

 

A major stumbling block is the delay in acquiring new aircraft, particularly wide-body jets from key manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing. Walsh, former CEO of British Airways, noted that what used to be a four- to five-year wait for aircraft delivery has now grown considerably longer.

 

“There’s a considerable wait to acquire new aircraft,” Walsh stated, referencing the current state of prolonged lead times for jets.

 

IATA's data supports this claim, noting that 1,583 aircraft are slated for global delivery in 2024. However, delays in the supply chain are causing about 150 of these deliveries to be pushed into 2025, with the total number of delayed jets expected to reach 2,293 by then.

 

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice-President of Sustainability, underscored the elevated pressure on production lines to meet soaring demand. Meanwhile, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for North Asia and Asia-Pacific, Xie Xingquan, underscored regulatory challenges Thailand faces, mentioning that new consumer protection laws covering delays, cancellations, and passenger rights are in the works.

 

Xingquan noted, “Government efforts and attractive incentives for airlines are crucial to achieving this hub status.”

 

Currently, Thailand is working on automation to speed up immigration processes and mitigate delays, while also focusing on the safety aspects following recent incidents of severe air turbulence.

 

In summary, while the vision is robust, achieving Thailand’s aviation hub dream by 2030 hinges on overcoming substantial logistical, regulatory, and investment-related hurdles.

 

File photo. Source: Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-06-11

 

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[Georgealbert]

Figures released for 30 April 2024, shows that the backlog of aircraft orders from the 2 big players is almost 15000, Airbus 8617 units and Boeing 6209 units. 
 

https://flightplan.forecastinternational.com/2024/05/20/airbus-and-boeing-report-april-2024-commercial-aircraft-orders-and-deliveries/

 

Edited June 10 by Georgealbert

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

At IATA's annual meeting in Dubai, Director-General Willie Walsh acknowledged Thailand's potential but pointed out that the country needs extensive long-term investments, streamlined regulations, and an accelerated push toward digitalisation to enhance efficiency.

Not just pipe-dreams.

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

A major stumbling block is the delay in acquiring new aircraft, particularly wide-body jets from key manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing.

But Thailand recently rejected the dollarization of international trade and has turned to BRIC for international trade currencies. I don't think US company Boeing would be interested in receiving rubles for its aircraft, nor would Airbus co-owned by the German-French-Spanish-British.

Thailand government is killing the nation's supply chains and security of economic recovery for the sake of what?