THAI to purchase 75 new aircraft
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Thai Airways International’s (THAI) Board of Directors has approved a new aircraft acquisition plan, involving the addition of 75 new planes between 2011 and 2022. The new aircraft order, valued at approximately THB457.2 billion (US$14.7 billion), will be split into two parts, with an initial order of 37 aircraft running from 2011 to 2017, and a further 38 planes joining the THAI fleet from 2018 to 2022.
The first order comprises 11 narrow-body aircraft, 26 wide-body aircraft, as well as spare engines, valued at approximately THB216.1 billion. The second order for 38 wide-body aircraft for long-haul and regional routes, including spare engines, is worth approximately THB241.1 billion. Twenty-one of the aircraft are on firm order, with options for a further 17.
This order is an addition to THAI’s existing order for 26 aircraft, which are currently awaiting delivery. This outstanding order includes 12 Airbus A330-300s, six Airbus A380-800s, and eight Boeing 777-300ER. Of the airline’s existing fleet, 14 will now be decommissioned – eight Airbus A300-600s and six Boeing 747-400s - while the leases will expire on a further seven aircraft – three B777-300ERs and four B737-400s.
The fleet modernisation plan will see the average age of THAI’s passenger planes cut from 11.9 years in 2010 to 8.5 years in 2017. In addition, the national carrier also announced plans to hire 468 new cabin crew in 2011 – 187 male and 281 female flight attendants. Of the female cabin attendants, there will be 248 Thais, 28 Japanese and five Koreans.
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