Thai Airways International has committed to orders for six Airbus A380s and two A340-500/600s. The Star Alliance carrier's commitment calls for the ultra-large airliners to be delivered in 2008 and 2009, says the manufacturer. One A340-500 will be delivered in 2007 and one A340-600 in 2008. The commitments confirm a plan revealed in July, when Thai's board approved a long-term, 14-aircraft fleet-expansion proposal. The airline said then it intended to order six aircraft seating more than 500 passengers as well as seven "long-range, medium-size" aircraft and one "super-long-range medium-size aircraft". Thai is expected to place orders with Boeing for six 777-200ERs. It already has firm orders outstanding for eight A340-500/600s, all to be delivered next year.
Source: Flight International
