Transport Thai Airways Soars with 12 Billion Profits in Q2 2025

[hotandsticky]

Just now, BarraMarra said:

I'm not getting this if your not getting this if your Airline is not full or your Bars Empty you will still make a profit ?

 

 

 

Do you understand break-even.

 

I had a bar/restaurant and we were never more than 50% full (except Friday evenings) and we made a profit every day.

 

 

To state the obvious....an EMPTY bar will not make a profit (but it does not have to be full to do so.......and try this one -  I have seen full bars that made a loss).

[hotandsticky]

Just now, Photoguy21 said:

I think it depends very much on the airline. BA apparently use something like 80% other airlines I am sure use different figures.

 

I imagine it can also vary by route, age/efficiency of plane etc.....many factors....but the point is - they don't need to be full to make a profit.

[Scott Tracy]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Air Data News

 

Thai Airways (THAI) is witnessing a remarkable resurgence, reporting an impressive profit of over 12 billion baht in the second quarter of 2025. This success has been driven by lower jet fuel costs and a significant uptick in passenger numbers.

 

In the latest financial results, the national carrier and its subsidiaries revealed a revenue of 44.83 billion baht for the quarter, marking a 1.9% rise from the previous year. The airline saw a 4.2% increase in passenger numbers, reaching 3.97 million, thanks to more frequent flights on popular routes like Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Denpasar. The average cabin load factor improved to 77%, up from 73.2% during the same quarter last year.

 

Costs continued to decline, with operating expenses dropping 9% to 34.65 billion baht, largely attributed to falling oil prices. This was despite greater fuel consumption due to expanded flight operations. Savings were also made from reduced aircraft maintenance costs.

 

These factors led to a significant increase in operating profit before finance costs, which surged 71.8% to 10.18 billion baht, delivering an EBIT margin of 22.7%. After accounting for finance costs of 3.39 billion baht and one-time gains of 5.35 billion baht—mainly from converting leases to purchases for four Boeing 777-300ERs—the airline achieved a net profit of 12.13 billion baht, a striking leap from the 314 million baht profit recorded in Q2 2024.

 

For the first half of 2025, THAI's revenue reached 96.45 billion baht, showing a 7.2% increase year-on-year, while net profit soared to 21.97 billion baht—a staggering 702% rise. The passenger load factor averaged 80.2%, with 8.3 million passengers carried.

 

As of June 30, THAI operated a fleet of 78 aircraft, with an average utilisation of 13.6 hours per day. The airline also boosted its financial standing, reporting total assets of 297.69 billion baht and liabilities reduced to 230.13 billion baht. Cash reserves and current financial assets totalled 120.01 billion baht.

 

This strong performance comes shortly after THAI's successful return to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on August 4, following a comprehensive rehabilitation process. Over its initial four trading days, THAI shares saw an average daily turnover of 4.4 billion baht, closing on August 7 at 13.40 baht—a 27.6% increase from its relisting price. This brought the market capitalisation to 379.26 billion baht, ranking THAI as the 11th largest stock on the exchange.

 

THAI is committed to maintaining sustainable growth, enhancing service quality, and reinforcing its position as a regional aviation leader. After years of challenges, the airline is back to thriving in the skies and achieving substantial financial success.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-08

 

12 billion Dollars or 12 billion Baht? For goodness sake, make your minds up.

[Photoguy21]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

 

I imagine it can also vary by route, age/efficiency of plane etc.....many factors....but the point is - they don't need to be full to make a profit.

Totally agree with you. If they had to be full before they made a profit they would never make a profit.

[BarraMarra]

Its a bit different owning an Airline then a bar Resturant Hot. Once a plane is on the Ground its losing money

[Scott Tracy]

39 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

"Savings were also made from reduced aircraft maintenance costs." What exactly does this mean? Less maintenance or maintenance at a lower level than would normally be expected?

Maintenance is specified by the manufacturer, but can be adjusted by the airline based on many factors including operational environment. It can range from a basic walk round visual inspection, daily, weekly, to a major check where the aircraft is stripped right down so all the structure can be inspected. These are normally fixed price and there's a lot of competition out there. Money's made mainly from defect rectification. I've seen many maintenance organisations go under. Maintenance costs are a substantial cost to the business.

[Bannoi]

1 hour ago, Photoguy21 said:

"Savings were also made from reduced aircraft maintenance costs." What exactly does this mean? Less maintenance or maintenance at a lower level than would normally be expected?

Someones uncle had a garage who said could do it cheaper plane car motorbike all same.

[Photoguy21]

35 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

Maintenance is specified by the manufacturer, but can be adjusted by the airline based on many factors including operational environment. It can range from a basic walk round visual inspection, daily, weekly, to a major check where the aircraft is stripped right down so all the structure can be inspected. These are normally fixed price and there's a lot of competition out there. Money's made mainly from defect rectification. I've seen many maintenance organisations go under. Maintenance costs are a substantial cost to the business.

It is like a motor vehicle. Some inspections are minimal other are complete strip downs of different parts.

[BusyB]

5 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Greatest airline in Asia.

 

I've flown Thai on and off since about 2008, domestically and internationally. Not only never had a problem with them but also experienced great service on the ground and in the air. Decent leg room and good food, economy and business.

 

Just my anecdote. Apparently others have suffered egregiously. I never saw that either.

 

Used to travel Thai C class domestically quite a bit back in the day. Latest Y was BKK KUL a couple of years ago, latest C a year ago to ZRH. Top flight experience both times.

 

 

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

I'm not getting this if your not getting this if your Airline is not full or your Bars Empty you will still make a profit ?

 

Who said the planes are half empty?

Your whole assumption is based on the flawed logic that tourist numbers are a bit down therefore Thai airways planes must be half empty. 

1. There were still 35m tourist arrivals last year.

2. And believe or not Thai people use Thai airways to travel to other countries. You are assuming that every single seat on every single flight is a tourist. They are not.

Thai Airways is publicly listed, you are welcome to inspect their books if you think they are lying.

[Richardsamui]

The tile said 12 billion dollar. Trump would be jealous about that....

Luckily corrected in the writing further to 12 billion baht...

[iaminwa]

Nah, still a crap airline. Just booked an Economy ticket the other day - was between Thai and Singapore Air. Same price. But Thai only allows $23kg of luggage, SIngapore Air allows $30kg. You can get an extra $7kg of luggage allowance on Thai for $200, lol. Singapore Airlines is so easy to change flights online yourself compared to stupid Thai Air. Upgrading on Singapore Air much easier too, and all done online before checkin.

[Kwausie]

Time to start up the daily Brisbane to Bangkok stopped since COVID 

[Antiparovian]

Id take this with a truck load of salt

[BarraMarra]

Iv'e only flown once On Thai from London-BKK. Old dated 777 Poor food service probably the worst, cabin staff were no where to be seem once meal was seved. Pressed the eat button for a drink never bothered coming so i walked to the Galley opened the Curtain 4 were in there playing on there phones, had to ask them twice for a Drink.

[josephbloggs]

5 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

Pressed the eat button for a drink never bothered coming so i walked to the Galley opened the Curtain 4 were in there playing on there phones, had to ask them twice for a Drink.

You should push the drink button for a drink, I think that's where you went wrong. 

[hotandsticky]

3 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

I imagine it can also vary by route, age/efficiency of plane etc.....many factors....but the point is - they don't need to be full to make a profit.

 

 

The tw4t who put a 'thumbs down' on non-contentious posts like this deserves a balls kicking.

[ronnie50]

7 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Greatest airline in Asia.

One of my favorites, for sure in regional travel - less sure about longhaul, but I know they are working toward that by getting rid of the A380 whales. Food is really good most of the time.

 

But Singapore Airlines and Cathay are still superior longhaul, even though I don't really like HKIA. Japan Airlines flight crews are really good and attentive - but the airline itself has too few destinations. ANA is supposed to be excellent, but I only flew them once a long time ago.

 

I do have trouble believing THAI made that much money in Q2 - regardless of the workarounds they made to cut costs.

[ronnie50]

14 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

The tw4t who put a 'thumbs down' on non-contentious posts like this deserves a balls kicking.

Yeah, why do some members do that. Weird. Just don't like the poster or what? It's stalking really.

[still kicking]

7 hours ago, daveAustin said:

This is sarcasm but don’t reckon it’s far off regards Asia-‘proper’—Middle East being another planet. Singapore and EVA are better but rarely had an issue with Thai. The staff are esp nice, and escaping Europe with them is always gratifying. Just don’t like this edging up of the fares long haul. They seem to be in a race with the ME airlines. 

As I mentioned many times, I also had never had problems with Thai. What is the point of flying EVA or other airlines if they don't fly non-stop to OZ?

[vangrop]

On 8/8/2025 at 11:41 AM, snoop1130 said:

THAI is committed to maintaining sustainable growth, enhancing service quality, and reinforcing its position as a regional aviation leader. After years of challenges, the airline is back to thriving in the skies and achieving substantial financial success.

I don't believe any baht of it. Make from a structural failure in no time an econmic miracle. The magic comes through creatif accounting, mainly writing off the garbage to show marvellous figures. The underling is that one day it will surface and the problem be 10 times huger than now. Maybe they followed lessons given by the ginger clown from the US, since he is also an expert in that matter

[UbonEagle]

No doubt the "rehabilitation" culled a lot of the inefficiencies and nepotism thai was renowned for, but I still find this sudden profit margin a little hard to believe, probably just more creative accounting

[Pinot]

This is historically a poorly run airline. I always loved flying Thai. I'll go out of my way to do so but it's always more expensive. 

 

I wish them well but Thai Air will always be poorly run. 

[Geoff914]

On 8/8/2025 at 1:06 PM, Rampant Rabbit said:

11 billion of that in unrefunded farers during covid

Too true. Boasting about how much profit they are making and forgetting how they ripped off previous passengers.

[Geoff914]

5 hours ago, still kicking said:

As I mentioned many times, I also had never had problems with Thai. What is the point of flying EVA or other airlines if they don't fly non-stop to OZ?

London to Bangkok Eva wins hands down. Better airline, better flights and always cheaper than Thai. I hope the people who normally fly Thai don't cotton on. I don't want Eva full of ex Thai passengers and not able to get a booking.

 

[soi3eddie]

3 hours ago, UbonEagle said:

No doubt the "rehabilitation" culled a lot of the inefficiencies and nepotism thai was renowned for, but I still find this sudden profit margin a little hard to believe, probably just more creative accounting

 

Have you seen the ticket prices since Covid? About double on fully flex economy LHR-BKK-LHR.

 

[soi3eddie]

13 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

London to Bangkok Eva wins hands down. Better airline, better flights and always cheaper than Thai. I hope the people who normally fly Thai don't cotton on. I don't want Eva full of ex Thai passengers and not able to get a booking.

 

Until Thai start doing 3-4-3 in economy (currently 3-3-3 on their 777's), I'll still prefer their service vs EVA in economy. That said, I'm flying BKK-SIN-LHR and return in Singapore Airlines over Christmas for same price as Thai but extra mileage. Flying Premium Economy BKK-LHR and return in March on EVA. Both for around same price as a full mileage qualifying ticket in economy on Thai Airways.

 

[soi3eddie]

One thing missing in the OP is any mention of fares or ticket prices. Thai's fares are too high for many. I, personally like the Thai service and generally am loyal to them flying 4-5 R/T between BKK and LHR each year. Their ROP flying club has great incentives such as annual upgrades to business class and promotional mileage redemptions. Thai are still my first choice and service has improved vastly since Covid. There are still plenty of Thai Airways haters though. Other than a few minor service gripes, I've never been badly dissapointed, and never been let down by Thai. Even with flight cancellations (and refunds) in 2020.

 

[Geoff914]

8 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

 There are still plenty of Thai Airways haters though. Other than a few minor service gripes, I've never been badly dissapointed, and never been let down by Thai. Even with flight cancellations (and refunds) in 2020.

 

So what you are saying is is we have had diabolical service from any organisation we should forget that and reward the company that gave to bad service against the ones that actually provided a better service and cheaper. Once somebody has scammed me why would I want to use them again.

[soi3eddie]

15 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

So what you are saying is is we have had diabolical service from any organisation we should forget that and reward the company that gave to bad service against the ones that actually provided a better service and cheaper. Once somebody has scammed me why would I want to use them again.

 

No. That is not what I wrote. I never had "diabolical" service from Thai Airways. A few minor gripes. That's all. YMMV!