Thailand’s national carrier confirmed a deal to purchase 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft at the Singapore Airshow.
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing Corporation said placing an order for 45 Dreamliner aircraft from Thailand’s national carrier is the largest order in Thai history.
“Thai Airways selected the 787-9 to support its long-term strategy to renew and expand its fleet with performance aircraft. And to open new routes to support the growing demand for air travel in Southeast Asia,” Boeing said in a statement issued at the Singapore Airshow, where a Thai Airways spokesperson confirmed the deal.
The national carrier said acquiring 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft powered by General Electric’s GEnx engines is just the beginning. Thai Airways intends to purchase up to a total of 80 Dreamliner aircraft.
The deal will also allow for flexible transition between aircraft within the Dreamliner family, “providing the airline with adaptability and versatility to meet changing market requirements”.
In addition, the airline said the agreement paves the way for acquiring the Boeing 777X, which could further expand the company’s fleet with superior range, capacity and performance.
“Thai Airways’ strategic investment in the 787 Dreamliner builds on a long-standing partnership and demonstrates the airline’s commitment to operating a modern, efficient and flexible fleet,” said Boeing Vice President of Commercial and Marketing Brad McMullen.
Boeing did not disclose the value of the deal. The order will be worth $13.16 billion (476 billion baht) at list prices. However, customers usually get a discount for bulk orders.
The GEnx engines powering the aircraft are known for their advanced technology and reduced environmental impact, in line with the company’s goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Thai Airways Chief Executive Chai Iamsiri said.
Thai Airways said earlier that adding aircraft to its fleet between 2027 and 2033 would not affect its debt repayment plans as part of its debt rehabilitation process.
“A long-term aircraft acquisition plan is critical to replace gradually expiring leases and ageing aircraft,” the statement said.
The recovery in the tourism industry is fuelling business growth, with the company reporting its fourth consecutive quarterly profit in November. Thai Airways plans to finalise its recovery plan this year.
Thai Airways had a fleet of 70 aircraft at the end of 2023. This year, the fleet will increase to 79 aircraft, and by 2025, it plans to operate 90 aircraft,” it said.
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