Thai Airways has confirmed it recently placed an order for 45 Boeing widebody aircraft, which represents a key part of the carrier’s restructured fleet plan.
The Thai order has been listed by Boeing as an undisclosed customer for 45 787s since December, as first reported by Aviation Daily. While Thai has now confirmed the broad outline of its deal, the carrier intends to reveal more details during the Singapore Airshow, which begins Feb. 20.
In a statement released Feb. 14, Thai said deliveries are due to begin in 2027. GE will be the engine supplier, and the aircraft order will be accompanied by additional options. Thai said it is open to considering various funding models, including operational and financial leases.
Thai said its aircraft acquisition plan is “crucial for replacing gradually expiring leased and aging aircraft.”
The airline had 100 aircraft in its fleet in 2013. However, it retired many aging and less-efficient aircraft during the pandemic to restructure its cost base. So by the end of 2022, the fleet had dropped by 36% to 64 operational aircraft.
During the pandemic recovery phase, Thai secured another 21 widebody aircraft via operating leases, mainly Airbus A350s. Thai also plans to begin introducing Airbus A321neos into its fleet from the fourth quarter of 2025.
Without the acquisition plan, Thai said its fleet would decrease to 51 aircraft by 2033. Instead, the planned deliveries will boost the carrier’s fleet to 96 aircraft by 2033—still slightly less than in 2013.
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