A new Airbus A350 has been delivered to Thai Airways International (THAI) as part of the airline's plans to expand the number of routes it offers.
THAI board chairman Areepong Bhoocha-oom said Wednesday that a new Airbus A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body) was officially handed over to the airline at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France, on Tuesday.
The new aircraft was royally bestowed with the name Wichian Buri.
The new Airbus is among 14 planes purchased by THAI amid plans to offer new routes to Russia, China and several countries in Europe.
Of the 14 aircraft, twelve are Airbus A350 XWB and two are Boeing 787.
Of these, another Airbus will be delivered to THAI this year, five other Airbus aircraft and the two Boeings will be delivered next year and the other five Airbus planes will be delivered in 2018.
Meanwhile, THAI president Charamporn Jotikasthira said the new aircraft will also be used on existing routes which are facing a surge in passenger numbers as a means to increase flight frequency.
Mr Charamporn said Wichian Buri will fly a round-trip route, Bangkok-Melbourne, Australia, on Sept 16. Flight tests will also be conducted on the aircraft on a domestic round-trip flight, Bangkok-Chiang Mai, between Sunday and Sept 15.
THAI currently operates 23 Airbus aircraft on various routes and the airline has sold one Airbus A340 with 13 other planes waiting to be sold, Mr Charamporn added.
In the second quarter of this year, the airline had reported a 0.2% drop in average cabin factor — a measurement of capacity utilisation — to 69% compared to the same period last year.
Second-quarter losses were lower this year due to a 3.18-billion-baht, or 21.3%, reduction in fuel expenses, he said.
As part of its expansion plans, THAI aims to bolster sales through its alliances which offer flights to destinations where the national carrier does not operate.
Negotiations are under way with 10 airlines flying to Europe to increase ticket sales to that market, he added.
EARLIER REPORT
The first Airbus A350 XWB to be bought by Thai Airways International, which it plans to use on its Australia route from next month, has landed in Thailand.
The royally bestowed Wichian Buri aircraft touched down at Suvarnabhumi airport after a long haul flight from the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse, France.
The airline said the A350 XWB, regarded as the most modern aircraft from the European plane maker, will be used on flights between Bangkok and Melbourne in September.
It is one of 12 A350s ordered by THAI, which involves four firm orders and eight leases.
Thai Airways International staff welcome the airline's first Airbus A350 XWB at a hangar after the aircraft landed at Suvarnabhumi.