Brent Hannon/BANGKOK
Thai Airways International has received government approval to acquire five additional widebodies during the next three years. The deal is likely to include four Boeing 747-400s, and either a 777-300 or Airbus A330-300, but the airline is also evaluating the A340-600.
"We need the new aircraft to cope with the growth in our European operations," says Sittipong Thanitayawong, Thai Airways senior vice president of corporate planning.
Thai plans to place an order for four long-range aircraft, probably 747-400s, for delivery in 2001 (two), 2002 (one) and 2003 (one). The additional 777-300 or A330-300 will be delivered in 2002. The airline operates all three models.
Airbus is trying to persuade Thai to order the 380-seat, Rolls-Royce Trent 500-powered A340-600 rather than additional 747-400s, but this would mean introducing a new engine type to Thai's fleet. The airline is struggling to reduce its aircraft type count, from 14 five years ago, to a current eight aircraft and eight engine types, and its long term aim is to reduce this to six types.
"Airbus claims the A340-600 is the same type as the A330 but although it can operate with the same cockpit crew, the engine is a type which we don't have," says Sittipong.
Meanwhile, Thai's planned privatisation has been further delayed. The government has authorised Thai to release another 23% of its shares, of which 13% would be sold to the public following a road show in January or February, and 10% to another airline after the public offering. Thailand's depressed stock market has seen the public offering delayed several times.
Despite rising fuel prices and a falling baht, Sittipong predicts Thai's net profit in fiscal year 2000 will exceed the net profit of 5.3 billion baht ($132 million) it made in the fiscal year that ended in September 1999.
Source: Flight International
