BANGKOK, Thailand – Six airlines are planning major fleet expansions as the global aviation industry rebounds from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thai Airways International (THAI) aims to increase its fleet from 77 to 90 airplanes next year, with a long-term goal of expanding to 143 aircraft over the next decade. The national carrier is focusing on wide-body planes for long-haul routes and narrow-body aircraft for Asia-Pacific destinations.
Bangkok Airways plans to add two Airbus A319s this year, bringing its total fleet to 25 aircraft, with a goal of reaching 30 planes in the next five years. Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia is on track to restore its pre-pandemic fleet size of 60 airplanes by the end of this year, with plans to procure 25-30 new planes over the next five years, including three additional Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Thai AirAsia X is also expanding, with plans to increase its fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft from eight to 11 by year-end. The airline aims to serve 2 million passengers this year and expand its fleet to 30 planes over the next five years. Similarly, Thai Lion Air is rebuilding its fleet, targeting 30 aircraft next year, up from its current 20 planes.
Thai VietJet Air is renting two Airbus A320s this year to bring its fleet to 20 planes, with plans to procure 9-12 additional aircraft from Boeing next year. The airline is focusing on expanding routes in Asia, particularly to untapped cities in China, and aims to have 50 Boeing planes by 2028. (NNT)
