THAI cautious on new routes as it awaits fleet clarity

THAI is taking a careful approach to growth as it tries to forge a more consolidated group approach, while it awaits for more clarity on its fleet plans. “Nowadays, with the limited availability of metal, we have to be cautious launching new destinations,” says Krittaphon Chantalitanon, VP of alliances and commercial strategy at Thai. “Not to mention the yet to be resolved issues with the [Boeing 787]. In terms of expansion, we need to be extremely cautious, more so than in the past, until all these issues are resolved.” Issues with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 issues powering its 787-8s have grounded four of its six examples – the carrier also operates two -9s. Still, he says the carrier’s five-times-weekly Bangkok-Vienna 787-8 service launched in November 2017 has done well. Thai Smile’s daily Bangkok-Kaohsiung A320 service has also done well since its October 2017 launch. The carrier is waiting for the Thai cabinet to approve a plan for around 22-23 new aircraft, of which two third will be widebodies and one third narrowbodies. Thai continues work to build its hub traffic at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, bringing Thai and 100%-owned unit Thai Smile closer together. Chantalitanon says that there are no plans to do away with the Thai Smile brand.<br/>