Thai airlines expand fleet, open new routes to ride post-Covid momentum

The Thai aviation industry is on the cusp of a strong comeback after the pandemic, with many airlines preparing to expand their fleet and regain their former glory days. The upbeat sentiment follows three years of challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, forcing airlines to downsize their operations to survive during the global downturn. Chai Eamsiri, the CEO of THAI, said the pandemic had plunged the aviation industry into its most severe crisis since World War II. In 2019, Thai Airways operated a fleet of 103 aircraft, but during the pandemic, more than 80 aircraft were grounded, and only 20 aircraft were in operation, he said. The national flag carrier entered a business rehabilitation plan to address its debts caused by the Covid-19 crisis, leaving THAI with a fleet of 69 aircraft. It plans to increase its fleet strength to 75 aircraft in 2024 and to 98-100 aircraft by 2025 to support the recovery of the tourism sector, Chai said. Recently, Thai Airways restructured its aviation business group and transferred 20 aircraft from Thai Smile Airways to Thai Airways. India is one of the first markets to return to the 2019 pre-Covid levels, with approximately 65 flights per week, he said. The European market previously had nine destinations, and now there are seven. Thai Airways is also looking at the East Asian market, especially as the China market has not fully recovered, he said. “The national airline is planning to adjust its strategy to operate flights to Japan, catering to Thai tourists' preferences for travelling to Japan. Additionally, we are continuously exploring opportunities in the Middle East market, especially after launching direct flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,” the THAI CEO said.<br/>