Thai Airlines Gear Up for Major Fleet Expansion Post-Covid Recovery

[snoop1130]

 

As the global aviation industry experiences a swift recovery post-Covid, Thailand's airlines are preparing for a significant fleet expansion. Anticipating a doubling in air travel by 2043, as forecasted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Thai carriers are positioning themselves to dominate the skies.

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) is at the forefront of this growth. Chief Commercial Officer Korakot Chatasingha has announced that THAI, which currently operates a fleet of 77 aircraft, plans to expand to 90 by next year. Long-term, the airline aims for a fleet of 143 planes over the next decade, focusing on wide-body aircraft for European routes and narrow-body jets for Asia-Pacific destinations.

 

In addition to THAI's growth, the boutique airline Bangkok Airways will add two Airbus A319s this year, increasing its fleet to 25 aircraft. Over the next five years, President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth plans to grow this number to 30, ensuring the airline adequately serves its high-demand Bangkok-Samui route.

 

Low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia also has ambitious plans. By year-end, CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya aims to restore the airline's pre-Covid fleet of 63 planes and add 25-30 new aircraft over the next five years, including five Airbus A321neo planes. The goal is to serve 22 million passengers this year.

 

Similarly, Thai AirAsia X will support its Airbus A330 fleet expansion, going from eight to 11 planes by year's end, CEO Tassapon Bijleveld announced. The airline plans to reinstate flights to Sydney and aims to serve 2 million passengers. Long-term, the fleet is set to grow to 30 aircraft within five years.

 

Thai Lion Air is also rebuilding its fleet post-pandemic. CEO Aswin Yangkirativorn noted that the airline plans to increase its current fleet of 20 planes to 25 by year-end and add five more next year, targeting a total of 35 aircraft.

 

Lastly, Thai VietJet Air will boost its fleet by adding two Airbus A320s this year, bringing the total to 20 planes. CEO Woranate Laprabang has plans to acquire nine to 12 new aircraft next year, with a goal of reaching a 50-plane fleet by 2028, focusing on expanding into untapped Chinese markets, Japan, and India.

 

These strategic expansions reflect Thailand’s airlines' confidence and readiness to capture a significant share of the anticipated surge in global air travel.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-08-23

 

 

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[steven100]

Then in 5 years there'll be another SAR's or Covid or Monkey Pox global outbreak and everywhere will shut down for a year or two and they'll have to sell the new aircraft.

 

Wash ....  rinse ...... repeat    !   

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

As the global aviation industry experiences a swift recovery post-Covid, Thailand's airlines are preparing for a significant fleet expansion. Anticipating a doubling in air travel by 2043, as forecasted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Thai carriers are positioning themselves to dominate the skies.

Best start training some flight crew then.

[retarius]

Doesn't Thai need to get its customer service in order before spending money on more places? To be fair I haven't flown them for a decade or more....having gotten sick of the pitiful service (business) and the corruption that the top were first class was inevitably crammed with directors and their families on shopping trips with 30 suitcases each. 

[Captain Flack]

An off topic troll comment about masks has been removed