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(21/02/24)
 Thai Airways has confirmed that it is has
ordered 45 Boeing 787-9 widebody aircraft, with options on a
further 35 jets.

The 45 new Boeing 787-9s will be added to Thai
Airways’
fleet over a ten-year timeframe, with deliveries set to begin in
2027.

Powered by GEnx engines, the 787-9 has a range of 14,010 km (7,565 nm) and
can carry nearly 20% more passengers than the 787-8 which the
airline also operates.

Making the announcement at the Singapore Air Show
on Tuesday, Thai Airways indicated that it had secured the flexibility to convert
the aircraft order between variants of the Boeing Dreamliner Family
as well as a pathway to acquiring the Boeing 777X as part of the
deal, but did not expand on how the dynamics of any such changes
would work.

Thai Airways livery. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

“To accomplish the company’s 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,” said Chai Eamsiri, CEO, 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.”

Thai Airways’ widebody fleet currently includes
Boeing 777s and 787s as well as Airbus A330s and A350s flying to nearly 60 domestic
and international destinations, including the Middle East, Asia
and Europe.

“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 senior vice president
of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “This order will support Thai
Airways’ ability to meet demand, foster tourism and trade, and
create further opportunities for this carrier.”

Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market Outlook for Southeast Asia projects that the region’s widebody fleet will see a three-fold increase over 20 years, with
growing demand for nearly 800 airplanes including passenger jets
such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner family and 777X, as well as
freighter models.

The American aircraft manufacturer says the order with Thai Airways was
finalized in December 2023 and listed as unidentified on Boeing’s
Orders & Deliveries website.

See also:

Thai Airways to Unveil Details of Boeing Aircraft Order at
Singapore Air Show 2024.

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