BANGKOK- Thai Airways International (TG) has confirmed it is in discussions to lease 10 Boeing 787-8 aircraft as part of its fleet replacement programme. Deliveries of the widebody jets are scheduled to begin in June.
Operating from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the Star Alliance member aims to replace decommissioned aircraft, expand network capacity, and strengthen long-term profitability following a return to net profit in 2025.
Thai Airways 10 New 787-8 Leases
Thai Airways currently operates 6 Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The additional 10 leased 787-8s will directly replace decommissioned aircraft rather than support immediate capacity growth. The airline has not disclosed the identity of the lessor.
The carrier also plans to take delivery of 4 Boeing 787-9 aircraft this year, further strengthening its long-haul fleet. In 2025, Thai has already taken delivery of one Airbus A330-300 and one Boeing 787-9.
On the narrowbody side, deliveries of the Airbus A321neo will continue throughout the year. Thai targets the receipt of 14 A321neos in 2025 as part of its total order for 32 aircraft.
The airline took delivery of its first A321neo in December 2025 and expects the final aircraft from the order to arrive by 2028.
This fleet renewal strategy focuses on improving fuel efficiency, lowering operating costs, and standardising aircraft types.
According to Flight Global, the leased 787-8 aircraft are specifically intended to replace retired jets within the existing fleet.
Network Restoration and Strategic Capacity Deployment
Thai Airways will resume flights to Amsterdam on 1 July to capture peak European summer demand. The restored service strengthens the airline’s presence in Europe.
The carrier will also resume daily flights from Bangkok to Auckland at the end of the year. The route reinstatement supports both passenger and cargo traffic between Thailand and New Zealand.
Thai stated that it is optimizing flight schedules and routes to achieve a strategic balance between passenger services and cargo operations. The airline said this approach aims to ensure stable and sustainable long-term profitability.
Financial Recovery and Traffic Performance
Thai Airways reported a net profit of Bt30.9 billion, equivalent to approximately $983 million, for 2025. Annual revenue increased 1.2 percent to Bt190.2 billion.
Full-year passenger traffic rose 8.3 percent, outpacing a 7.7 percent increase in capacity. This performance indicates stronger demand and improved load factors across the network.
The combination of disciplined capacity management, fleet modernisation, and network optimisation positions Thai Airways to sustain operational and financial stability in the coming years.
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