Thai Airways, Thailand's national airline, has said it wants to buy 30 new planes by 2025, when the airline estimates it will recover from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The new acquisition will strengthen the fleet and replace aircraft sold or decommissioned.
"The plan to acquire the new planes will be presented to the Central Bankruptcy Court on March 2, along with the THAI business rehabilitation plan, which is also awaiting creditors' approval.", The Nation Thailand reported, citing inside sources.
However, this is not the first time Thai Airways has suggested a similar acquisition plan of aircraft. According to media reports, in July 2018, Thai Airways wanted to purchase 23 new aircraft worth about $ 3 billion, and in 2017 it had plans to modernize its fleet by purchasing 30 aircraft.
The airline listed 42 aircraft for sale.
According to Thai Aircraft Trading, the airline listed for sale 18 x Boeing 777, 10 x Boeing 747, 2 x Boeing 737-400, 9 x Airbus A340, 2 x Airbus A380-800 and 1 x Airbus A300-600. The 30 aircraft to be purchased will replace the aircraft sold.
In 2003 and 2004, Thai Airways purchased 10 x Airbus A340-500 and A340-600. However, the acquisition caused financial problems for the airline, as the maintenance of the Airbus A340 aircraft was very expensive.
On 14 September 2020, Thai Airways has entered the reorganization and received the green light from the Central Bankruptcy Court of Thailand to continue his recovery plans.