In an other source , Thai might take over 6 ex UAL Boeing .
============================================
THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL SEALS A340-500/-600 ORDER
AUGUST 06, 2003
Thai Airways International is marking the start of a new era in its long-standing relationship with Airbus with an order for three A340-500s and five A340-600s.
The airline first placed an order for the original A300 in 1977 and currently operates a fleet of 21 A300-600s and 12 A330s. Delivery of the newly ordered aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2005.
The A340-500s will bring ‘Smooth as Silk’ levels of service to a completely new network of ultra long-haul services from Bangkok to North America, whilst the A340-600s will replace the aircraft currently operated to secondary cities in Europe. The Rolls-Royce Trent 500 powered A340-500/-600 fleet will bring considerable savings due to lower fuel consumption, better operational efficiency and greater cargo capability.
“The A340-500 ultra long haul aircraft will open up a completely new market for THAI. For the first time, we will be able to offer direct non-stop services between Thailand and the USA and our A340-500 will have a unique configuration giving passengers extra space and comfort on their long flights” said Kanok Abhiradee, President of Thai Airways International.
“This order from THAI again endorses the popularity of the A340 Family, which, with unbeatable operating costs and an outstanding operational capability, enables carriers to open up new very long distance routes or serve point to point destinations in the most efficient way.” said Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer.
The A340-500 and -600 are full-fledged members of the leading A330/A340 Family. The high degree of operational commonality between the A330 and A340 enables pilots to fly either aircraft type with a single licence endorsement.
THAI’s selection of the A340-500/-600 further reinforces the success of the A330/A340 Family as the preferred choice of airlines worldwide in the medium to long-range segment, with almost 800 total orders from 63 customers. The A330/A340 Family has been especially successful in the Asia-Pacific, with 208 orders from 19 airlines, including almost every major international carrier in the region.
A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.
By: MSR777 - 8th August 2003 at 23:32
Congrats to the guys in Toulouse………another satisfied customer!
By: T5 - 8th August 2003 at 09:31
Have a great trip, get us some shots! :p
Back to Thai Airways – what is a secondary European city? It’s a shame this move isn’t going to happen instantly. I’m sort of scheduled to return to Thailand with them in March 2004. I’d love to experience an A340.
By: Hand87_5 - 8th August 2003 at 09:28
Have fun mate. 🙂
By: greekdude1 - 8th August 2003 at 00:07
No need to be envious. Those of you that are youngsters will get your chance in the near or distant future. I’ll have plenty of pics for y’all. Sorry for still not posting from my Euro trip 2 monts ago. This last month has been really hectic which is why I haven’t been on as much.
By: A330Crazy - 7th August 2003 at 23:56
You lucky £$£%^%^%$^%^%^$%^ lol :p
Have an excellent time mate… you dont know how much all of us envy you!
Be sure to get some pics of those spectacular approaches too.
🙂
By: greekdude1 - 7th August 2003 at 23:55
$47 million a copy, what a bargain! I thought this deal was later canceled, apparantly not? Much needed cashflow for UA. Nice of one of their partners to help them out. UA has obviously canceled numorous flights in the last year and has substituted 777’s for 744’s on many routes, thereby freeing up a few 744’s that were parked to be sold. By the way Hand, when I’m on summer break, I frequently stay up long hours, usually till 2 or 3 in the morning. I’m off to SXM tomorrow for a week, then Philly for 2 days.
By: Hand87_5 - 7th August 2003 at 10:14
This was earlier this year , maybe they made an other deal with United?
=============================================
LATEST NEWS
February 27, 2003
United sells off seven Boeing 747-400s
Seattle-based Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ moribund 747 program got bad news Thursday, as UAL Corp., the parent company of United Airlines, agreed to sell seven of the Everett-built jumbo jets to Thai Airways International, which might otherwise have bought new planes.
The United planes are all 747-400s, Boeing’s newest and most expensive version, with current list prices ranging from $185 million to $215 million apiece. Thai got them from United for a comparative song at $330 million total, or roughly $47 million each.
Moreover, the airline has been one of the 747’s biggest customers. Thai Airways has taken delivery of 24 of Boeing’s 747s, including 16 of the 747-400 models since 1990.
Thai Airways is 93 percent owned by the Thai government and has 81 planes in its fleet. The airline has indicated that expansion plans are in the works.
The sale requires approval by the government of Thailand, but the board of directors of Thai Airways International has approved the sale and it is expected to go through.
By: Pembo330 - 7th August 2003 at 10:07
More great news for Airbus! 🙂
By: Hand87_5 - 7th August 2003 at 10:06
Can’t sleep greek ? 🙂
By: greekdude1 - 7th August 2003 at 10:02
I was under the impression that TG was going to take 5 parked UA 744’s, but this was later canceled. Is that deal back on the table again, or is it with another model?
Sign In
August 7, 2003 at 9:54 am