Thai Airways committed to profit through rehab

THAI is committed to moving ahead with plans to ensure long-term profit growth, in line with a positive bottom line last year and in the first quarter this year. The national carrier vows to come up with a series of strategic plans to tackle global aviation challenges such as fierce competition, technological change, varying passenger behaviour and slowing demand in some markets. The flag carrier is evaluating its business practices and strategies, a phase stipulated in its rehabilitation plan due to end of this year. The rehabilitation plan calls for the carrier to lower expenses and boost revenue after it experienced hefty losses between 2013 and 2015. According to THAI acting president Usanee Sangsingkeo the carrier's new strategic plan will focus largely on product and service improvement, fleet<br/>and network management, revenue and cost management, new investment and human resources. "As acting president, I will continue to strengthen the airline for more sustainable growth and more profit," she says. Usanee was picked in February this year as acting president after the company's presidential selection committee failed to find a new president to replace Charamporn Chotikasthira, whose term ended that month. She is the airline's first woman to be appointed internally to a top management position. Usanee says THAI needs to improve its products to strengthen its competitiveness. The company is adding at least 20 new aircraft to its fleet over this year and next year. Story has more details.<br/>