Thai Airways International Pcl is in the process of evaluating a significant expansion of its fleet, with plans to acquire up to 90 aircraft from Airbus SE (OTC:EADSY) and Boeing (NYSE:BA) Co., focusing primarily on widebody jets. The airline is considering an order that could include nearly 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and a number of Airbus models, contingent upon ongoing price negotiations over engines with Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc (LON:RR).
The potential acquisition, which may be detailed soon, is set to include up to 80 twin-aisle jets and approximately a dozen narrowbodies leased for Thai Smile, Thai Airways' regional subsidiary. This move comes as the airline looks toward post-restructuring growth, with deliveries of the new aircraft expected to start in 2026.
Earlier this year, in June, CEO Chai Eamsiri expressed the company's intentions to solicit bids for new widebody jets in addition to Airbus A321neos for Thai Smile. The focus on widebody aircraft aligns with a global uptick in orders for such planes, highlighted by Emirates' substantial order at the Dubai Air Show and several commitments for Airbus's A350 throughout the year.
Thai Airways has recently reported its first sequence of four consecutive quarterly profits, marking a turnaround from its financial struggles exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a bankruptcy filing in 2020, the airline embarked on a debt-rehabilitation initiative which included staff reductions and a fleet size cut by more than half. The airline anticipates exiting its restructuring phase next year, setting the stage for this ambitious fleet expansion.
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