Thai Airways to reactivate 5 aircraft due to demand

Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) will reactivate three mothballed A330-300s and two B777-200s due to a rapid recovery in demand, especially on its European routes, Chief Commercial Officer Nond Kalinta told the Nation Thailand. "We believe this year's high season will see the highest number of passengers in the last two years. The airline expects 4.48m passengers for the whole year and a total income of THB80b baht ($2.2b) thanks to the lifting of travel restrictions for foreigners since July 1. For THAI, the average load factor is now at 70-80%, with European markets having the highest load factor at 90%. The advance booking rate in July is now at 60% and is rising continually," Nond said. The airline mothballed the bulk of its widebody fleet after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thailand implemented strict travel restrictions, which were eased only in November 2021, practically halting Thai Airways' passenger operations except for repatriation charters. As the airline entered into judicial restructuring, it announced plans to simplify its fleet. First, it retired all B747-400s, B777-200s, and B777-300s. Subsequently, it also retired its A380-800s and B777-200(ER)s, leaving only the A330-300s, A350-900s, B777-300(ER)s, B787-8s, and B787-9s in its much reduced fleet.<br/>