By Staff Correspondent
Thai Airways, a flagship carrier, has joined forces with Boeing to modernize and expand its widebody fleet and worldwide network. The two companies announced that Thai Airways has ordered 45 787 Dreamliners. The 787-9 is part of Thai Airways’s plan to launch new routes to meet the rising demand for air travel in Southeast Asia and update and extend its fleet with more efficient planes in the long run.
“To accomplish our company’s and the national carbon neutral goals by 2050, the 45 new Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be equipped with GEnx engines, which are known for their cutting-edge technology and reduced environmental impact,” Chai Eamsiri, the CEO of Thai Airways. “Furthermore, we are confident that the acquisition of the 787 Dreamliners will ultimately benefit our customers and support the growth of our country’s economy.”
Using widebody aircraft such as 777s and 787s, Thai Airways operates in around 60 local and international locations, spanning throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Since the Dreamliner family can save fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 25% relative to the planes it replaces, the airline will be able to run more effectively with a larger fleet of 787-9s.
“Thai Airways’ strategic investment in the 787 Dreamliner builds on our long-standing partnership and signifies the airline’s commitment to operate a modern, efficient and flexible fleet,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing’s senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing. The partnership has been strong for a long time. “This order will support Thai Airways’ ability to meet demand, foster tourism and trade, and create further opportunities for this carrier.”
There was no identification of the order on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website, even though it was finalized in December 2023. According to Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market Outlook for Southeast Asia, the region’s widebody fleet is expected to triple in the next two decades. This is driven by an increasing demand for about 800 planes, including freighter types, passenger jets like the 787 Dreamliner family and 777X, and more.
The 787-9 is 20 feet (6 meters) longer than the 787-8, allowing Thai Airways to expand on routes initially established by the 787-8 and fly roughly 20% more people farther. There have been about 390 more nonstop routes introduced by the 787 family since commercial service started in 2011.
More than 60 years have passed since Boeing first supported Thailand’s aviation sector and partnered with Thai Airways. With Bangkok offices and a focus on STEM education, disability programmes, and sustainable livelihoods through permaculture, Boeing is actively involved in Thailand.
