Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
THAI AIRWAYS International is to purchase 21 new jet-powered airliners and dispose of 31 older aircraft, under a five-year fleet-rationalisation plan approved by its directors.
The carrier's 1996-2000 long-term plan calls for a reduction from 14 to six baseline aircraft types and a corresponding cut in the number of different engines from 11 to six.
The 21 new aircraft to be ordered consist of five additional Airbus A300-600Rs, four A330s (either -300 or 200s), two Boeing 747-400s, three 737-500s and one -400. In addition, Thai has re-affirmed its previously announced intention, to purchase six stretched Boeing 777-300s.
No official decision has been announced on the choice of engines, but it is understood the A300-600Rs and 747-400s will be powered by General Electric CF6-80s, the A330s by Pratt & Whitney PW4168s and the 777-300s by Rolls-Royce Trent 800s. The four 737s will be equipped with CFM56 engines.
The airline plans to raise the reported 143 billion baht ($5.7 billion) needed for the new fleet through a combination of internal funds, loans, issuing 200 million new shares and selling off 31 older aircraft.
Thai's board has asked Airbus and Boeing to take responsibility for disposing of the older types. Airbus has been asked to find a buyer for Thai's seven A300B4s and two A310-200s, while Boeing will have to dispose of two 747-300s and three McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30ERs.
Six Thai CF6-50-powered 747-200s have already been sold to Langdon Asset Management for $123 million and, more recently, two 737-200s to Shaheen Air International of Pakistan for $16.7 million. Other aircraft up for sale include, four British Aerospace 146-300s and four ATR 42/72s.
The planned new purchases, together with outstanding orders, will increase Thai's overall fleet size by three, to 76 aircraft. Its fleet of six different types will consist of 14 747-400s, 14 777-200/300s, four McDonnell Douglas MD-11s, 12 A330s, 21 A300-600/600Rs and 11 737-400/500s.
Source: Flight International
