The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) approved on July 8, 2026, two Thai Airways International' aircraft lease projects valued at a combined THB14.3 billion baht (USD429.2 million), covering five used B787-8s and three new B787-9s.

Chief finance and accounting officer Cherdchome Therdsteerasukdi told Thai newspaper Than Setthakij that the B787-8s will be taken on operating leases of around six years and delivered during 2026. The B787-9s will have 12-year lease terms and are due to enter service between the third quarter and early fourth quarter of 2026.

The BOI confirmed it had approved two Thai Airways projects covering eight passenger aircraft, but did not disclose the types, lessors, lease terms, or delivery schedules.

Thai Airways said in February that it was negotiating leases for ten B787-8s, with deliveries expected to start in June 2026. As previously reported by ch-aviation, Avolon acquired 10 former China Southern Airlines (CZ, Guangzhou) B787-8s for placement with the Thai flag carrier.

The eight approved jets form part of Thai Airways' plan to add 28 aircraft during 2026, comprising ten B787-8s, four B787-9s, and fourteen A321-200NX jets. It also plans to retire two B787-8s, two A350-900s, and two B777-200ERs within the year.

Thai Airways operates a fleet of 91 aircraft, comprising twenty A320-200s, six A321-200NX, six A330-300s, twenty-three A350-900s, five B777-200ERs, seventeen B777-300ERs, nine B787-8s, and five B787-9s.