Bangkok-based Star Alliance airline Thai Airways (THAI) will increase its fleet and network capacity this year with the addition of several additional wide-body aircraft, including more Airbus A350-900s and A330-300s.
To this end, on January 2, CDB Aviation, a wholly-owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing, announced the signing of a leasing agreement for two used A330-300 widebody aircraft with THAI.
The aircraft will be delivered to the aircraft carrier in September and October 2024.
Before the pandemic, THAI operated a large fleet of A330s, exceeding 20 aircraft. Currently, however, the airline has only three A330-300s remaining in operation and for a long time it appeared that the A330 would permanently leave THAI’s fleet.
THAI operates its dual-class A330s on high-capacity domestic flights and across its Asia-Pacific regional network.
The flag carrier is also on track to take delivery of nine additional A350 aircraft in 2024 and beyond, for a total of 26 A350-900s in its future fleet.
Additionally, a third Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will be delivered to THAI this year.
“We are delighted to welcome Thai Airways to our growing Asia Pacific customer base,” said Jie Chen, CEO of CDB Aviation. “The increase in the widebody fleet will strengthen the airline’s position in its key intra-Asian markets, providing the additional capacity needed to meet the peak season and growing travel demand in many regions.”
thaiairways.com
