Thai Airways, the flag carrier of Thailand, has announced plans to expand its fleet to 69 aircraft by January, following the full integration of its lower-cost subsidiary, Thai Smile.
Integration of Thai Smile
Thai Airways plans to fully integrate Thai Smile into its operations by January. This move will see all aircraft, routes, slots, and more from Thai Smile becoming part of Thai Airways. The integration is part of Thai Airways' restructuring plan as it aims to exit bankruptcy next year.
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Fleet Expansion
The integration will result in Thai Airways operating 69 planes once the process is complete. The expanded fleet will consist of a diverse mixture of aircraft, including A320s, A330-300s, A350-900s, 777-200ERs, 777-300ERs, 787-8s, and 787-9syear. In addition to the existing fleet, Thai Airways will also receive more Airbus A350-900s along with five additional aircraft (of an unspecified type) next year. More narrowbodies and widebodies are expected to be added in or around 2025.
Impact on Routes
All routes currently operated by Thai Smile will be switched over to Thai Airways. This includes routes from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Kaohsiung, Kolkata, and Penang. The operation of these routes by Thai Airways is dependent on slot availability.
Future Growth
Thai Airways aims for growth in 2024/2025 with more Chinese, European, and Australian routes. By January, when Thai Smile will be fully integrated, Thai Airways' network will comprise 60 destinations from its Suvarnabhumi hub. This strategic move by Thai Airways underscores its commitment to growth and recovery following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The integration of Thai Smile is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
