THAI Airways International (THAI) last week placed an order to purchase four Airbus A350-900 and five A320 aircraft, to be delivered between 2014 and 2017, as part of plans to upgrade its aging fleet (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 15).
The Thai flag carrier will also lease an additional eight A350s, to be delivered between 2016 and 2017; and six A320s, to be delivered between 2012 and 2013.
THAI plans to use the A350s on longhaul services to Europe, and the A320s on domestic and regional routes.
THAI president Piyasavasti Amranand said the fleet upgrade would play a significant role in ensuring that the airline keeps abreast of regional competition.
In the second half of 2012, THAI will take delivery of the first of six A380s it has ordered.
The carrier will also decommission 50 aircraft between this year and 2017.
THAI operated at a cabin factor of 77.3 per cent last month, the highest level recorded in the month of July over the past four years. The airline recorded a load factor of 66.4 per cent in the second quarter, and 76.1 per cent in the first quarter.
