Thai Airways Cancels Manila 787 August Deployment
According to the latest airline schedules, Thai Airways International has decided to cancel its temporary deployment of its new Boeing 787-8 aircraft to Manila. The Thai carrier was originally set to deploy its second Boeing 787-8 to the Philippines from August 8 until August 31.
FOCUSING ON AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN
Like most airline companies, Thai Airways continues to struggle against current market conditions particularly with the existing political turmoil in Bangkok. Competition with local low-cost carriers and other Southeast Asian carriers is also heating up particularly with the recent entry of AirAsia X. The Thai carrier is now focused on using the new 787 fleet to help improve profitability. Senior Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Sustainable Development, Chokchai Panyayong, mentioned that Japan and Australia have been two significant markets that they continue to promote as international transit traffic is increasing in both countries and are currently under served on a non-stop basis. Thai Airways currently carries about 14% and 7%, respectively, of the total international seat capacity in each market, which plays a significant role in the tourism sector.
Thai Airways expects 2 more deliveries of Boeing 787-8 aircraft before the end of this year and the carrier has not revealed any further destinations beyond Japan and Australia. The carrier is seeking to increase capacity in these markets to cement their position against low cost carriers including Thai AirAsia X and NokScoot. As Japan recently lifted its visa requirements for citizens of Thailand visiting on short-term stays, travel to the country is expected to rise dramatically with the increased demand. Meanwhile, additional deliveries of 787 aircraft will be used to operate Bangkok-Narita together with Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok-Hanoi with the delivery of the third aircraft. The fourth delivery is expected to be used on the Bangkok-Nagoya service.
MANILA REMAINS AN OPTION
The Thai carrier is currently going through a lot of management changes in an effort to reform operations. These changes have been placing delays on important strategic decisions including fleet renewal and route adjustments. Though the fourth Thai 787 delivery is already committed to a route, Manila continues to be an option being considered by the airline. For now, Thai Airways has lined up their Boeing 777 aircraft to replace the Dreamliner between August 8-31 on their nine weekly flights between Manila and Bangkok.
Source: CAPA, CAPA, Thai Airways, Reuters, Reuters, PFN
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| Image Source: World Airline News |
In a recent press release issued by the carrier, Thai Airways confirmed that they do not have immediate plans to serve the Manila route using the new 787 aircraft and will use a Boeing 777 aircraft instead. It is believed that the second Thai 787 aircraft will now be used to serve the Bangkok to Perth, Australia and Bangkok to Haneda, Japan routes which are due to commence sometime in September 2014. Thai Airways has been using its first 787 delivery on trial runs flying domestically between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
The Thai Boeing 787 was recently unveiled featuring the new 'Thai Contemporary Concept' cabin design that was also installed on the carrier's Boeing 777 fleet. Each 787-8 features 240 seats in Economy Class and 24 seats in Business Class. The Economy cabin offers nine-abreast seating, while the Business Class cabin is configured in Thai's regional business class product offering six-abreast seating.
The Thai Boeing 787 was recently unveiled featuring the new 'Thai Contemporary Concept' cabin design that was also installed on the carrier's Boeing 777 fleet. Each 787-8 features 240 seats in Economy Class and 24 seats in Business Class. The Economy cabin offers nine-abreast seating, while the Business Class cabin is configured in Thai's regional business class product offering six-abreast seating.
FOCUSING ON AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN
Like most airline companies, Thai Airways continues to struggle against current market conditions particularly with the existing political turmoil in Bangkok. Competition with local low-cost carriers and other Southeast Asian carriers is also heating up particularly with the recent entry of AirAsia X. The Thai carrier is now focused on using the new 787 fleet to help improve profitability. Senior Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Sustainable Development, Chokchai Panyayong, mentioned that Japan and Australia have been two significant markets that they continue to promote as international transit traffic is increasing in both countries and are currently under served on a non-stop basis. Thai Airways currently carries about 14% and 7%, respectively, of the total international seat capacity in each market, which plays a significant role in the tourism sector.
Thai Airways expects 2 more deliveries of Boeing 787-8 aircraft before the end of this year and the carrier has not revealed any further destinations beyond Japan and Australia. The carrier is seeking to increase capacity in these markets to cement their position against low cost carriers including Thai AirAsia X and NokScoot. As Japan recently lifted its visa requirements for citizens of Thailand visiting on short-term stays, travel to the country is expected to rise dramatically with the increased demand. Meanwhile, additional deliveries of 787 aircraft will be used to operate Bangkok-Narita together with Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok-Hanoi with the delivery of the third aircraft. The fourth delivery is expected to be used on the Bangkok-Nagoya service.
MANILA REMAINS AN OPTION
The Thai carrier is currently going through a lot of management changes in an effort to reform operations. These changes have been placing delays on important strategic decisions including fleet renewal and route adjustments. Though the fourth Thai 787 delivery is already committed to a route, Manila continues to be an option being considered by the airline. For now, Thai Airways has lined up their Boeing 777 aircraft to replace the Dreamliner between August 8-31 on their nine weekly flights between Manila and Bangkok.
-travelling_bk
Thai airways and their airport is very nice! how come pal and manila airport is a bad? their 787 interior is beautiful aswell as their a380s. i tried them from copenhagen to bkk
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