Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) has been asked to revise a proposed fleet renewal plan given the exorbitant costs associated with purchasing 38 new aircraft. Recent estimates have put the acquisition at THB156 billion baht (USD5.1 billion).
According to local Thai media, Chief Executive Officer Sumeth Damrongchaitham told a press conference that the airline's board had directed management to undertake the review in light of Thai's financial standing. During the allotted six-month timeframe, Sumeth said Thai will reconsider its current and future fleet requirements and may even turn to leasing to help keep costs down.
"If we still need 38 planes, do they need to be of the same sizes or will the cost change? Plane procurement doesn't necessarily mean they must be bought. They can also be leased," he was quoted by The Nation newspaper.
The acquisition of 38 aircraft forms the second phase of a two-phase fleet renewal strategy approved by the Thai government back in 2011. With 37 aircraft having already been acquired and inducted, Thai had planned to execute the second phase in two stages; the first will see 25 aircraft replace 19 currently in service while the second will see 13 replace 12.
Overall, Thai's fleet will grow from 101 aircraft (fifteen A330-300s, twelve A350-900s, six A380-800s, eight B747-400s, six B777-200s, six -200(ER)s, six B777-300s, fourteen -300(ER)s, six B787-8s, two -9s, and twenty A320-200s (operated by Thai Smile)) to 110 once the process has been completed.
