The CEO of Thai Airways International told FlightGlobal at the IATA annual general meeting in Istanbul that the airline is in the process of negotiating leases for extra aircraft to handle the dramatic rise in post-pandemic demand.
Beginning in 2025, five Airbus A321neos will be delivered under lease. The airline is also looking to lease five more of the same model. It’s interesting to note that Thai Airways International, and not its subsidiary Thai Smile, will operate the aircraft, bringing a narrowbody plane into the regular fleet.
Additionally, Thai Airways has leased eleven more A350-900s, of which two have already been delivered. These two, designated as HS-THO (351) and HS-THP (355) by the registry, are leased from Avolon and were initially intended for Hainan Airlines.
In addition to these leases, it is also rumored that the airline is in talks with both Airbus and Boeing for more planes to increase capacity.
Three A330-300s, fourteen A350-900s, six Boeing B777-200ERs, seventeen B777-300ERs, six B787-8s, and two B787-9s make up Thai Airways’ fleet. Thai Smile’s subsidiary has a fleet of 20 A320s.
