THAI looks to order more jets as tourist arrivals surge

THAI will seek board approval this month to purchase new jets amid a surge in tourist arrivals that has boosted demand, the airline’s top executive said Tuesday. The airline expects to fill 79% of seats in 2018, up from 78.2% in Q3 of last year, acting president Usanee Sangsingkeo said. Thailand expects 37.55m tourists to arrive this year, up 6% from 35m in 2017. Usanee did not elaborate on the purchase plans, but research firm CAPA Centre for Aviation in November said the airline was looking to buy eight to nine narrowbody and 20 widebody jets for delivery from 2019 to 2022. <br/>