Thai Airways will begin flying the next-generation Airbus A321neo as part of ongoing attempts to renew its fleet with more efficient planes.
The Thailand-based carrier has signed a leasing agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital that will see eight A321neos produced by Airbus delivered to the company.
These eight units are part of an order book with Airbus, which sees SMBC Aviation Capital order many aircraft to cover airlines’ requirements worldwide.
Moreover, this deal follows a previous agreement with AerCap, which included the A321neo model, ten of which were selected and will be delivered first.
Thai Airways expects deliveries for these A321neo models with SMBC to commence in 2026 and conclude one year later in 2027. These delivery timeframes permit no further delays from Airbus, which has battled its supply chain struggles at different points.
Ultimately, the aircraft are all part of the carrier’s ongoing fleet renewal efforts. After recent financial struggles, the transformative nature of the fleet has been highly emphasised.
The Airbus A321neo aircraft will not only boost Thai Airways operational efficiency, it will enhance the overall customer experience with more comfort and advanced features while also promoting a more sustainable aviation industry. We are delighted to support Thai Airways in the growth and modernisation of their fleet and we look forward to many years of working together.
Conor Stafford, Head of Airline Marketing, SMBC Aviation Capital
Like many airlines, the COVID-19 pandemic caused extensive damage to the airline. It struggled with finances and battled a lack of international travel demand, which caused its network to collapse.
After years of focusing on rebuilding its business, including hefty turnaround initiatives, the carrier is finally moving ahead with modernisation efforts.
Thai Airways believes the purchase and lease of new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing will enable much-needed fleet simplification, with the company previously being known for its relatively complex fleet composition.
In addition to the Airbus A321neo, Thai Airways has also committed to many new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will complement its existing commitment to the series, enhance long-haul efforts, and help replace other ageing fleet types.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daniel Fowkes is a Melbourne-based aviation analyst and journalist with over a decade of industry experience. As founder of Dj’s Aviation, he delivers trusted analysis on aircraft, airline strategy and global aviation trends for djsaviation.net
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