NokScoot (Bangkok Don Mueang) has revised its fleet expansion plans and has now opted to purchase more used B777s widebodies as opposed to the previously announced plan to acquire either A330neo or B787s.

In an interview with CAPA earlier this month, NokScoot chairman Patee Sarasin said the Nok Air/Scoot joint-venture is now planning to acquire seven more B777-200s to compliment its current trio of the type. The shift away from acquiring new aircraft was driven primarily by cost considerations given the relatively low prices of used B777s available in today's market, he said.

In the long term, however, the chairman did note that the long haul budget carrier will eventually transition to the B787 but for the short- and medium-term, it will stick with the B777 as it will take some time to recoup the investment made in retrofitting the type. The B777s that will be inducted into the fleet will necessarily be younger than fourteen years of age given Thai ageing-aircraft laws. The same laws thwarted NokScoot's earlier plans to take-over Scoot's now retired B777-200(ER) fleet.

Going forward, the carrier will retain a 415-seat configuration featuring 391 seats in economy and twenty-four in its premium-economy-esque offering, ScootBiz, Patee noted.

In terms of network plans, with Taipei Taoyuan to be dropped from September onwards, NokScoot will then be able to focus its whole attention on the mainland Chinese market likely through 2017. At present it serves Chongqing, Nanjing, Qingdao Jiaodong, Shenyang Taoxian International, and Tianjin with Dalian to come online in October.

However, in the long term, the Japanese and South Korean markets do hold potential, Patee added.