BANGKOK- Thai Airways International (TG) will expand its fleet with four new aircraft in 2025, including its first Airbus A321neo, as the airline responds to increasing travel demand.
The announcement came alongside the company’s full-year financial results.
Thai Airways Four A321neo
The Star Alliance member will also add two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and one Airbus A330-300 to its operations this year. These acquisitions complement Thai Airways’ ongoing project to retrofit its A320 fleet with business-class seating.
The A320 aircraft were incorporated into Thai Airways’ fleet following its merger with regional subsidiary Thai Smile.
The forthcoming A321neo appears to be part of a previous agreement. In June 2023, Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri revealed to FlightGlobal that the airline had secured leases for five A321neo aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for 2025.
The fleet expansion strategy aims to position Thai Airways to capitalize on what the airline describes as “ever-growing demand for travel” in the near future.
Additional 8 A321neo on Lease
Thai Airways International has secured a separate lease agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital for eight additional A321neo twinjets, scheduled for delivery beginning in 2026. This follows the airline’s earlier fleet expansion announcements.
The Bangkok-based carrier has confirmed plans to upgrade cabin products across its Boeing 777-300ER fleet, a strategy first revealed by airline chief Eamsiri to Airline Business in late 2024. The “customer-centric” renovation will equip older 777s with three distinct cabin classes: business, premium economy, and economy.
Thai Airways achieved its highest quarterly operating profit since the pandemic, reporting Bt17.3 billion ($512 million) for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, representing a 21% year-on-year increase. Quarterly passenger revenue grew by 21% to Bt43.2 billion. The airline transported 4.5 million passengers during the October-December period, establishing a post-pandemic record.
Despite operational success, Thai Airways recorded a substantial net loss of approximately Bt42.1 billion due to costs associated with debt restructuring and debt-to-equity conversion processes required by its business rehabilitation program.
For the full year 2024, the airline posted an operating profit of Bt41.5 billion, up 3% from the previous year, while revenue increased 16.7% to nearly Bt188 billion.
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