Thai Airways Enhances Fleet with Four New A320s from Thai Smile

Thai Airways has added four new Airbus A320s to its fleet that will operate on international routes.

The Airbus A320s reportedly belonged to Thai Smile, a subsidiary of Thai Airways.

On May 18, 2023, it was announced that Thai Smile would be absorbed into its parent company.

The four A320s will operate economy class only between Bangkok and Delhi and Bangkok and Mumbai.

Flights using the aircraft began between Bangkok on July 1, 2023, and Bangkok and Mumbai on July 2, 2023.

Thai Airways said the increase in fleet size was in “response to growing travel demand of customers”.

“The addition of Airbus A320 will enhance the airline fleet efficiency and improve aircraft utilization as well as strengthen THAI route network to support the rising travel demands,” the carrier said.

Thai Airways is about to begin the process of ordering up to 30 wide-body aircraft and wants the order to include the transfer of six Airbus A380s to one of the aircraft manufacturers.

The flag carrier of Thailand is in the process of issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP), as it looks to buy up to 30 twin-aisle jets to operate long-haul and short-haul routes from the country.

According to ch-aviation.com, Thai Airways also plans to lease 12 A321-200Ns, with deliveries expected in 2025 and 2026.

As well as the inactive A380s, Thai Airways also operates four Airbus A330-300, 13 Airbus A350-900, seven Boeing 747-400, six 777-200ER, 17 777-300ER, six 787-8, and two 787-9 aircraft, ch-aviation.com data showed.