THAI plans to acquire 37 aircraft over seven years

Thai Airways president Piyasvasti Amranand announced plans for the carrier to procure 37 new aircraft between 2011 and 2017 (Cargonews Asia/The Nation, 12/13-Jan-2011). The carrier plans to seek 11 narrowbody and 26 widebody aircraft through both operating lease and financial lease. Mr Amranand said the additional aircraft will take the carrier's fleet to 105 in 2017 from 84 and reduce the average age of its aircraft to 8.4 years from 11.6 years. THAI also plans to renovate four A340-500s in 2013, as since 2008 it has failed to find buyers for the long-range aircraft, making the aircraft's ticket prices higher than variable cost. An old B747-400 may also be modified as a freighter. The procurement plan is expected to be presented to the company's board on 14-Jan-2011.