Thai Airways has announced a plan to acquire 15 new aircraft and add numerous new routes. Seven 300 seat craft will be purchased for flying routes within the region while a further eight 350 seat craft will be purchased for their long haul routes.

These new aircraft, which the company say will be operational by 2014, are an addition to five A330-300 aircraft that have already been ordered and will be put in service this year and six A380 aircraft that will enter the fleet from 2012-2013.

The plan is welcome news to those living and traveling in the region. The airline was rumored to be in serious financial difficulty last year (as were many through the global financial crisis) and received emergency state subsidies. These instabilities were caused mainly by the fact that the company had not hedged on fuel purchasing. This new plan is a bold approach aimed at aggressive expansion and service improvements.

Thai is one of the established carriers on the London to Bangkok route but faces stiff competition from competitors such as Eva Air, British Airways and Quantas – all of whom fly direct. Passengers will be pleased to have see a more modern range of aircraft with better entertainment facilities (Thai is one of the few carriers not to have seat back televisions as standard although food and service levels are well respected). The new planes will also be far more fuel efficient reducing overheads and emissions taxes. The airline fly a huge range of domestic routes and routes across South East Asia and are often booked by holiday makers who have traveled long-haul with other airlines.

It remains to be seen how prices will be effected by these new plans. However, these moves follow some high-level changes at Thai and will be welcomed by most people who use the airline and will be a general boost for tourism in the region.

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Tags: airlines, Bangkok, Eva Air, London, Quantas, South East Asia, Suvarnabhumi airport, Thai Airways