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Thai Airways Expands Fleet with New Airbus A321neo Lease Agreement
The airline secures eight Airbus A321neo aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital and moves closer to exiting rehabilitation.
Thai Airways International Pcl (THAI) announced on Sunday that it has signed a lease agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital for eight Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking another step in its fleet expansion strategy.
The delivery of these aircraft is scheduled for 2026 and 2027, as part of a broader order placed by the Irish leasing company with Airbus.
THAI has ongoing orders for 19 A321neo, 27 A321-200NX, and four A321-200NX(LR) aircraft.
The acquisition of these narrow-body jets aligns with the airline’s long-term strategy to improve operational efficiency, replace older leased models, and phase out ageing aircraft.
In addition to the SMBC lease, THAI has also placed an order for 45 Boeing 787-9 aircraft and signed a lease agreement with AerCap for 10 more A321neo jets.
Conor Stafford, head of airline marketing at SMBC Aviation Capital, stated that the A321neo will enhance Thai Airways’ operational efficiency, improve passenger comfort, and support sustainability efforts, aligning with the aviation sector’s strong recovery.
Separately, THAI has partnered with L3Harris Technologies, a U.S.-based aviation and defense technology firm, to provide pilot training on a full-flight Airbus A320 simulator.
The two-year agreement will take place at L3Harris’ Pilot Training Centre near Suvarnabhumi Airport, with training already underway since last month.
David Coward, vice president of training services at L3Harris, highlighted the partnership’s role in supporting THAI’s commitment to global pilot training standards.
As part of its recovery plan, Thai Airways aims to exit its rehabilitation program in May 2025. CEO Chai Iamsiri confirmed that the airline has met all conditions necessary for its restructuring and is finalizing board appointments before the first annual general meeting (AGM) on April 18. The new board will oversee THAI’s policies and corporate governance after the airline exits rehabilitation.
The government, holding a 48% stake in the airline, is entitled to appoint three to four board representatives.
Other shareholders, including creditors who converted debt into equity, control 52% of the shares and will also appoint representatives.
Bangkok Bank and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Savings Cooperative are among the major private shareholders with board appointment rights.
THAI plans to file its formal request to exit rehabilitation in April, with approval expected within one month.
If granted, the airline is projected to resume trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in the second quarter of 2025.
The delivery of these aircraft is scheduled for 2026 and 2027, as part of a broader order placed by the Irish leasing company with Airbus.
THAI has ongoing orders for 19 A321neo, 27 A321-200NX, and four A321-200NX(LR) aircraft.
The acquisition of these narrow-body jets aligns with the airline’s long-term strategy to improve operational efficiency, replace older leased models, and phase out ageing aircraft.
In addition to the SMBC lease, THAI has also placed an order for 45 Boeing 787-9 aircraft and signed a lease agreement with AerCap for 10 more A321neo jets.
Conor Stafford, head of airline marketing at SMBC Aviation Capital, stated that the A321neo will enhance Thai Airways’ operational efficiency, improve passenger comfort, and support sustainability efforts, aligning with the aviation sector’s strong recovery.
Separately, THAI has partnered with L3Harris Technologies, a U.S.-based aviation and defense technology firm, to provide pilot training on a full-flight Airbus A320 simulator.
The two-year agreement will take place at L3Harris’ Pilot Training Centre near Suvarnabhumi Airport, with training already underway since last month.
David Coward, vice president of training services at L3Harris, highlighted the partnership’s role in supporting THAI’s commitment to global pilot training standards.
As part of its recovery plan, Thai Airways aims to exit its rehabilitation program in May 2025. CEO Chai Iamsiri confirmed that the airline has met all conditions necessary for its restructuring and is finalizing board appointments before the first annual general meeting (AGM) on April 18. The new board will oversee THAI’s policies and corporate governance after the airline exits rehabilitation.
The government, holding a 48% stake in the airline, is entitled to appoint three to four board representatives.
Other shareholders, including creditors who converted debt into equity, control 52% of the shares and will also appoint representatives.
Bangkok Bank and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Savings Cooperative are among the major private shareholders with board appointment rights.
THAI plans to file its formal request to exit rehabilitation in April, with approval expected within one month.
If granted, the airline is projected to resume trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in the second quarter of 2025.
