Thai Airways International reports Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2004

Thai Airways International has reported its financial results for fiscal year 2004 ending September 2004, with a net profit of 10,077 million Baht.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said that THAI’s financial results for fiscal year 2004 (October 2003 – September 2004) resulted in total revenues from the sale of goods and the rendering of services of 152,603 million Baht and THAI realized a net profit of 10,077 million Baht, a decrease of 2,002 million Baht or 16.6 percent compared to last fiscal year. This translated into earnings per share of 6.14 Baht for fiscal year 2004 through to the end of September 2004 compared to earnings per share of 8.63 Baht during last year’s fiscal year.

Revenues from the sale of goods and the rendering of services of the company increased from last year by 18,067 million Baht or 13.4 percent. This resulted from an increase in profits primarily in the area of passenger services, due to expansion of the company’s network to more destinations in efforts to reach more areas around the world, those being Sendai, Japan; Bangalore, India; Chiang Rung, China; Luang Prabang, Laos; and Milan, Italy.

In addition, the company increased flight frequencies to support increased passenger traffic, such as Bangkok-Seoul, Bangkok-Copenhagen, Bangkok-London, Bangkok-Frankfurt, Bangkok-Munich, and other routes. Operating expenses increased from 117,230 million Baht to 132,206 million Baht, when compared to the same period last year at 14,976 million Baht or 12.8 percent, mainly from the increased cost of jet fuel due to adjustments in jet fuel price that rose approximately 22.8 percent. As well, the company experienced a foreign exchange loss at 2,179 million Baht due to a weakened Baht.

Thai Airways International is arranging 8 special flights to transport Muslims from Thailand to Makkah in Saudi Arabia to participate in the Haj, a Muslim Pilgrimage.

THAI will operate 8 Flights on the route Hat Yai – Jeddah v.v., utilizing Airbus A300-600 aircraft.

In order to facilitate passengers’ comfort and convenience, THAI has also arranged special ground and inflight services to assist passengers traveling with THAI during this period, with medical kits and inflight information guides available for Muslim passengers.

Thai Airways International is launching 7 promotional campaigns to boost sales and tourist arrivals into Thailand during the traditional low season between April and July 2005.

Mr. Abhiradee said that in order to promote the Thailand tourism industry and sales for travel to THAI's new destinations, THAI's Commercial Department joined hands with business alliances to create 7 sales promotion activities to boost the travel market during low season and to attract tourist to travel to Thailand as follows:

Sales Promotion Campaigns During Low Season:

- Revisiting Thailand 2005, On board lucky draws of 20,000 tickets will be distributed on all of THAI's inbound flights to Thailand during December 2004 - July 2005 to attract passengers to re-visit Thailand during April-July 2005

- Visit Your Love One, Royal Orchid Holidays Stop Over Special Fare Package to invite passengers from Greece and Italy travelling to Australia and New Zealand to stop over in Thailand as a transit destination between January and September 2005

- Homecoming, a Special Royal Orchid Holidays Package created for Thais living overseas to visit Thailand during May - June 2005

- Corporate Traveller, join hands in a business alliance in Thailand to persuade overseas corporations and international companies in Thailand, to organize meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) in Thailand during April-July 2005

- Easy Travel Pack, a Royal Orchid Holidays Package offered to 45,000 London underground staff who are entitled to 48 vacation days to visit Thailand with the term of payment by Barclays Bank

Thailand Tourism Promotional Campaigns:

- Wedding Events and Packages

- A Lanna Wedding in Chiang Mai theme will be promoted, through a special Royal Orchid Holidays Package with emphasis on Northern Culture and Tradition as the selling point for European, Asian, Australian, and North American markets

- An Underwater Wedding in Trang theme will be promoted, Through a special Royal Orchid Holidays Package for couples and companions

- Star Alliance CEO Meeting in Chiang Mai during 11-13 December 2004, during which THAI will announce cooperation for Happiness Thailand Year 2005

Bangkok Airways has entered into a codeshare agreement with Thai Airways International on the routes Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai–Luang Prabang. Bangkok Airways will also codeshare on THAI operated flights between Bangkok–Krabi and Bangkok- Phuket during 1-20 December 2004.

Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Executive Vice President for Commercial, said that in response to the growing demand of tourists going to Mae Hong Son and Luang Prabang during the holiday season, THAI requested Bangkok Airways to assist with codeshare service on the following routes:

- Bangkok Airways operated flights between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son v.v. for a total of 25 flights per week, utilizing ATR-72 aircraft with capacity of 70 seats.

- Bangkok Airways operated flights between Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang for a total of 3 flights per week, utilizing ATR-72 with capacity of 70 seats

Additionally, codeshare services on THAI operated flights between Bangkok - Krabi with a daily flight and Bangkok – Phuket with a total of 14 flights per week will be implemented, utilizing B737-400 aircraft with capacity of 149 seats.

don't forget to check out Newly design of Thai Airways website
www.thaiairways.com

Rank in Top 5 of the world's best airlines by skytrax.
http://www.thaiair.com/images/About%20Thai/Publicinfo_hp1.jpg
http://www.thaiair.com/images/About%20Thai/limo.jpg
http://www.thaiair.com/images/Travel_Destination/Gound_Service.jpg
http://www.thaiair.com/images/Travel_Destination/Royal_Orchid_Service.jpg
http://www.thaiair.com/images/Royal%20Orchid%20Holidays/Header-How_to_Book.jpg
http://www.agifors.org/studygrp/revmgm/2001/Suphann3.jpe.jpg

16 December 2004


Thai Airways International is to increase its flight frequency to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Krabi during the peak holiday season between 29 December 2004 and 4 January 2005.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said in order to accommodate passenger demand during the new year period, THAI will add 36 supplementary flights as well as change aircraft types, which can accommodate 17,000 passengers or 18.06 percent of the normal capacity of 94,578 seats. Flight details are as follows:

Bangkok – Chiang Mai, v.v.: additional 7 flights on 30, 31 December 2004 and 2, 3, January 2005. Change to bigger aircraft for 2 flights, on 30 December 2004 and 3 January 2005

Bangkok – Chiang Rai, v.v.: additional 4 flights on 30, 31 December 2004 and 2, 3 January 2005. Change to bigger aircraft for 5 flights, on 30, 31 December 2004 and 2, 3 January 2005

Bangkok - Phuket, v.v.: additional 10 flights on 29, 30, 31 December 2004 and 1, 2, 3, 4 January 2005. Change to bigger aircraft for 7 flights on 30, 31 December 2004 and 1, 2, 3, 4 January 2005

Bangkok – Krabi, v.v. : additional 6 flights on 29, 30, 31 December 2004 and 1, 2, 3 January 2005.

December 17, 2004

Thai Airways expects its revenues to rise 5 percent in the October 2004/September 2005 fiscal year from the previous year, its chairman said on Friday.

"Our revenue growth rate for this year should be about five percent," Thai Airways chairman Thanong Bidaya told reporters after a shareholders meeting.

The majority state-owned airline had revenue of 150 billion baht (USD$3.82 billion) in the previous fiscal year and a net profit of 10.08 billion baht (USD$256.5 million), down 17 percent on the year.

Thanong said the projected revenue would be helped by new routes in 2005 as it would receive five more aircraft during the fiscal year. It has 83 aircraft now.

Thai Airways has said the new planes will help expand its services to Europe, the United States and Australia.

The national carrier wants to increase capacity to cities such as London, Frankfurt and Munich by replacing smaller planes with bigger ones or adding flights.

The airline also plans to launch non-stop flights to the United States and Russia next year.

(Reuters)

Thai Airways International is to offer special inflight services for passengers celebrating Christmas 2004 and other festivals in 2005.

Mr. Nikom Raviyan, THAI’s Vice President, Inflight Services & Cabin Crew Development, said that THAI would celebrate festivals by holding a 'Fun in Festival' project to offer special services on board and to provide all passengers with satisfactory services. THAI’s cabin crew will wear festive costumes and present special gifts to passengers on selected flights. In addition, there will be special inflight entertainment and documentaries programme as well as festive meals offered on board during festivals such as Christmas, Thai New Year’s Day (Songkran Day), Korean Honeymoon and Mother’s Day.

The activities for these celebrations will start Christmas Eve. THAI will offer the 'Fun in Festival' services on return flights to and from USA, Europe, Australia and on some routes in Asia. The cabin crew will be dressed in Santa Claus costumes giving chocolate treats to all passengers and special presents for certain lucky travellers.

THAI will serve special meals to passengers in all classes on every flight departing from Bangkok to destinations in Europe, Australia and China. Selected main course includes braised nut ham with Bourbon sauce and Xmas pudding brandy sauce for dessert which will also be served on flights from Bangkok to India.

Passengers traveling on flights from Bangkok to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and destinations in the middle-east on every class will be served with Log cake as special festive treat.

I hope they fly to Belgrade.

Dec. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Thai Airways International Pcl, the country's biggest carrier, resumed flying to the resort of Phuket, where at least 118 people have died after an earthquake in Indonesian unleashed tidal waves, following a six-hour suspension.

Thai Airways canceled five flights and one returned to Bangkok after the waves hit. The remaining four flights to Phuket today will fly as scheduled, the Bangkok-based carrier said in a statement. Phuket airport, operated by the Airports of Thailand Pcl, was forced to close at 11:30 a.m. It resumed services at 5 p.m.

The airline plans to fly larger aircraft to transport passengers from Phuket. An 8.9-magnitude earthquake, the fifth strongest in a century, struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra, resulting in giant tidal waves that killed more than 3,000 people in India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

About 168 people were killed in southern Thailand and surrounding areas, including Phi Phi island, Agence France-Presse reported, citing officials. At least 100 people taking diving holidays off Thailand were feared dead, the BBC said.

The Indonesia earthquake, which struck about 7 a.m. local time, was centered offshore about 1,605 kilometers (1,000 miles) northwest of Jakarta at a depth of 10 kilometers, the U.S. Geological Survey said on its Web site.

Phuket attracted as many as 4 million tourists last year, almost two-fifths of all visitors to Thailand, according to local tourist officials. Tourists come to visit Phuket's beaches, dive sites with whale sharks and turtles, and tours to the location of a James Bond movie.

8.9 on the richter scale!!!

750,000 people are displaced.

26 December 2004


Due to the earthquake in Indonesia that resulted in destruction and loss in many areas in Southern Thailand, Thai Airways International has provided natural disaster support by transporting doctors and nurses as well as medical equipment to Phuket.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said that due to the natural disaster in the Southern Thailand, today THAI transported more of the relief team to Phuket that included doctors and nurses as well as medical equipment to be used in disaster relief. The relief team departed Bangkok on flight TG201 and TG921 at 07.00 and 08.00 hours respectively and arrived in Phuket at 08.20 and 09.20 hours respectively. Furthermore, THAI also flew members of “FAST” (Family Assistance & Support Team) to assist passengers waiting for flights at Phuket International Airport and at THAI’s office in Phuket.

In addition, THAI and its Crisis Management & Operations Centre (CMOC) have arranged a relief centre at its Head Office to receive support such as consumer products and first-aid kits as well as to encourage THAI employees to donate blood at the Red Cross. Interested persons may call (66) (0) 2545 3181.

does TG have PTVs in their planes ?

to transport the injured and passengers from the South to Bangkok


27 December 2004


Thai Airways International is working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to provide complementary transportation for Thai people and expatriates affected by the natural disaster in Southern Thailand.

Complementary transportation will be provided to Bangkok for those injured and in need of medical treatment, which includes transport of the deceased. Passengers and the injured will be transported from Phuket and Krabi by THAI flights to Bangkok for treatment at hospitals in Bangkok, those being Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Thammasat Rangsit Center Hospital, and others, effective during the afternoon of 27 December 2004 onwards.

THAI’s normal flights to and from Southern Thailand will be operated as follows:

Phuket

Bangkok – Phuket at 9 flights per day
Phuket – Bangkok at 14 flights per day

Krabi

Bangkok – Krabi at 4 flights per day
Krabi – Bangkok at 4 flights per day

Passengers and the injured seeking transportation to Bangkok or those seeking to transport the deceased to Bangkok may contact THAI’s Office at Phuket International Airport at Tel. (66) (76) 205-335, (66 )(76) 327-194 or THAI’s town office in Phuket at Tel. (66) (76) 212-400, (66) (76) 211-195.

THAI has established a Help Desk Center at the Domestic Terminal of Bangkok International Airport at Tel. (66) (2) 535-7670 to 3.

does TG have PTVs in their planes ?
Don't have PTV for every aircraft until for each new one is come as planned upon delivery ;)

does TG have PTVs in their planes ?
I travelled from AKL-BKK in a B747-200 in business class and there were none, just a pull down screen.

Thai Airways International is to use larger aircraft and has added 2 special flights between Bangkok and Phuket to facilitate passengers and the injured affected by the devastating Tsunami waves.

Change of aircraft type for flights routed Phuket-Bangkok:

Flight TG218 departs Phuket at 1845 hours and arrives in Bangkok at 2020 hours, with a change to larger aircraft type utilizing Boeing 777-300 aircraft equipped with 388 seats, 49 in business class and 339 in economy class.

Flight TG216 departs Phuket at 2135 hours and arrives in Bangkok at 2300 hours, with a change to larger aircraft type utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft equipped with 389 seats, 64 in business class and 326 in economy class.

Increase special flights routed Phuket-Bangkok, to transport passengers and injured

Flight TG SOS1 departs Phuket at 1915 hours and arrives in Bangkok at 2035 hours utilizing Boeing 777-200 aircraft equipped with 358 seats.

Flight TG SOS2 departs Phuket at 0120 hours and arrives in Bangkok at 0240 hours utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft that equipped with 389 seats.

9 December 2004


Today Thai Airways International packed shipments of emergency supplies, food, water, and clothing donated by the general public, entertainment industry, THAI employees, THAI Employees Association, and THAI Employees Union.

The emergency aid shipment will be transported on board THAI’s flights to Phuket and Krabi.

Thai Airways is inviting people to make donations. Those wishing to provide donations can contribute in the form of clothes, dry or canned food, drinking water, and necessary personal items for those affected by the killer Tsunamo waves in Southern Thailand. Donors may contact THAI’s Security Office on a 24 hour basis or by calling Tel. (02) 545-2535 to 7 during business hours. Those making donations are requested to provide an itemized list of goods donated on all boxes in order to facilitate separation and categorizing of donated items.

BANGKOK, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL said on Wednesday it filled 74.9 percent of its seats in November, up from the previous month and the same period a year earlier.

The national carrier said in a statement it filled 73 percent of its seats in October and 72.3 percent in November 2003.

It carried 1.661 million passengers in November, up from a revised 1.63 million in October, but down slightly from 1.663 million in the same period last year, the airline said.

It filled 70.6 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in November, up from 68.5 percent a year earlier and 69.8 percentin October, said the airline, whose financial year runs from October 1 to September 30.

Major rival Singapore Airlines said it carried 1.38 million passengers in November and Cathay Pacific said it carried 1.19 million passengers in the same month.

On Wednesday, Thai Airways shares fell 0.52 percent to 47.75 baht, while the overall stock market rose 0.31 percent. ($1=39.05 baht)

Thai Airways International invites Royal Orchid Plus Members to Join Mileage Points Donation

Thai Airways International is inviting all Royal Orchid Plus members, the frequent flyer programme of THAI, to provide their mileage points to redeem air tickets for non-profit organizations in Thailand to transport medical equipment for the injured people.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said that the Royal Orchid Plus members can donate at least 10,000 miles as a redemption of air tickets or baggage excess allowance to transport medical equipment for the injured in the Southern Thailand. THAI will donate all provided mileage points to the non-profit organizations in Thailand such as the Ministry of Public Health, Rescue Team, Red Cross Association etc.

Royal Orchid Plus members can send Thai the amount of miles they wish to donate along with, full names, ROP membership number and contact numbers via fax number +66 2545 3300, e-mail via rop.telex@thaiairways.com or by postal mail to P.O. Box 353 Samsennai Bangkok 10400 with the subject: “Mileage points donation to relieve Crisis in Southern Thailand”. Donations will be open between 30 December 2004 – 31 January 2005.

January 10, 2005

Thai Airways International said on Monday it will cut its revenue forecast for this year due to the impact of the December 26 tsunami.

The national carrier had expected its revenues to rise by 5 percent per year, president Kanok Abhiradee told reporters, without saying how much the airline would cut its revenue forecast in its current financial year ending September 2005.

"Our revenue will be lower this year but we can't tell how much at the moment," Kanok said.

The airline had revenue of 152.6 billion baht (USD$3.9 billion) in the previous year.

Kanok said the carrier expected revenue to fall by 1-3 billion baht in the January-March period as customers had postponed or cancelled bookings.

He said tourists from Japan had postponed about 10,000 tickets since the tsunami, which killed more than 5,300 people in Thailand and devastated several hotels at popular resorts in Phuket, Krabi and Phang-Nga.

(Reuters)

Thai Airways International approves 100 Million Baht Budget for Tsunami Relief


12 January 2005


Thai Airways International’s Board of Directors today approved a budget of 100 million Baht to provide financial assistance to areas in Thailand affected by the tsunami that hit 6 southern provinces in the country on 26 December, 2004.

THAI’s financial aid will go towards transporting food, clothes and emergency supplies, including air tickets to transport the injured and those affected, as well as doctors, nurses, volunteers, charitable organizations, press and other entities. In addition, the financial aid will also be used to revive tourist sites along the Andaman Sea.

THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL will operate filght from bangkok , thailand direct to new york this May flight will operate 6 times a week with brand new aisbus a340 - 600 flight number TG 790 leave bkk at 00.14 arrive NY at 05.35 and TG 791 leave NY 11.00 and arrive BKK 16.10 next day

:runaway::lock::carrot::banana::pepper::banana2::eek::applause::righton::omg::rock::rofl:

THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL will operate filght from bangkok , thailand direct to new york this May flight will operate 6 times a week with brand new aisbus a340 - 600 flight number TG 790 leave bkk at 00.14 arrive NY at 05.35 and TG 791 leave NY 11.00 and arrive BKK 16.10 next day

:runaway::lock::carrot::banana::pepper::banana2::eek::applause::righton::omg::rock::rofl:


Wow! This will be a long flight! One of the longest comercial flights in the world i guess!
Can anyone confirm?

Wow! This will be a long flight! One of the longest comercial flights in the world i guess!
Can anyone confirm?

Nopa, The recorded is SQ
SIN to NYC by taking around 18 hrs :) using of A340-500 or 600 that can't to recalled ;)

Nopa, The recorded is SQ
SIN to NYC by taking around 18 hrs :) using of A340-500 or 600 that can't to recalled ;)

Yes, i know that. And it's with the 340-500.
I was surprised exactly by the fact that Thai is going to use a 340-600 ,which has considerably less range then the 340-500, so it must using all it's range.

Yes, i know that. And it's with the 340-500.
I was surprised exactly by the fact that Thai is going to use a 340-600 ,which has considerably less range then the 340-500, so it must using all it's range.

Actually, they use 340-500.

Refer to link:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=169502

Oh! I see!

THAI Airways International Plc announced it will witness minimal short-term negative effects from last month’s tsunami and remains optimistic that new flight destinations could counteract any revenue slumps caused by Thailand’s worst natural disaster.

Vice-president Wasingh Kittikula, pictured right below, said THAI will expand its air routes throughout 2005 with the delivery of eight new aeroplanes.

“The tsunami incident is unlikely to have a severe negative impact on THAI’s business in the long-run. THAI’s original plan to receive delivery of new planes this year as well as to open up new air routes remain unchanged,” Wasingh told Reuters.

This year, the airline intends to operate two or three new routes from Bangkok, including non-stop flights to New York, Moscow and Johannesburg.

The New York route is expected to commence on May 1 2005, using Airbus’ A340-500 on six weekly flights.

The Moscow flight will follow in July or August with three flights per week and the Johannesburg route, operating three times a week, will start in the third quarter.

Two new Asian air destinations that the company will fly to next year are Zennai in Japan and Doha, Qatar, said Wasingh.

THAI is also looking to increase its flights on routes with high demand. Flights from Bangkok to London will fly 14 times a week from 12, and the Bangkok to Frankfurt route will have four additional flights, raising it to 14 weekly flights.

The national carrier also plans to increase flights to Stockholm and Munic by an extra flight per week, said Wasingh.

THAI will also boost its flight frequencies for several routes in Asia, including Bangkok to Beijing, Bali, Bombay and Dubai.

The airline is due to receive delivery of two new A340-500 and two new A340-600 planes from Airbus between April and September this year, enabling it to increase flight frequencies and operate the new proposed routes.

Airbus is also scheduled to deliver two new A340-500 and two new A340-600 planes later this year.

Wasingh cited the demand for the Bangkok to New York route is increasing the competitiveness between airlines. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are already providing non-stop services for their passengers.

The non-stop route will take between 17-18 hours and once in service will attract high-end passengers, mainly businessmen, allowing the national flag carrier to move away from relying solely on the peak tourist season to generate more revenue, said Wasingh.

“By opening new routes as well as boosting flight frequencies, THAI will find out whether the air passenger demand on those routes are strong or not.

“If the market demand there is strong, then we will immediately plan to boost the flight frequencies on the air routes,” said Wasingh.

From now until 31st March 2005, Thai Airways International is offering more special domestic fares in the Andaman Sun Sea & Sand campaign for passengers traveling with THAI in Economy Class to destinations in Southern Thailand.

Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Executive Vice President, Commercial, said this special promotion is in response to the Government’s policy to revive and regain the confidence of tourists traveling to three provinces in Southern Thailand namely Phuket, Trang, and Krabi. The promotions include:

- Roundtrip domestic airfares from Bangkok to Krabi, Phuket, and Trang at the price of 4,200Baht, 3,800Baht and 4,400Baht, respectively.

- Travel agents can receive a 35 per cent discount for group travel of 10 or more.

- Government officials and those working in independent organizations traveling in groups of 10 or more to Phuket, Trang, and Krabi for business purposes including seminars and meetings can receive a 50 per cent discount.

- The price of Euang Luang Holiday packages from Bangkok to Krabi, Phuket, and Trang start from 5,000 baht including roundtrip ticket, transfer between airport and hotel for a three-days, two-night stay including accommodation and breakfast. For more information travellers should contact +66 (0) 2288 7152-5 or +66 (0) 2628 2456-7.

These special Economy Class fares (excluding airport tax and insurance surcharge) are available for flights departing from Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pitsanuloke, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani to Krabi, Phuket and Trang via Bangkok. Passengers are able to make an overnight stop in Bangkok and must hold a confirmed one-way or return ticket. Passengers are able to purchase their tickets via THAI’s e-ticketing system.

Royal Orchid Plus members may also accumulate mileage from this promotion. From now until 31 August 2005, ROP members who wish to travel to Krabi, Phuket, or Trang need only 12,000 instead of the usual 15,000 accumulated mileage in exchange for one-way travel in Economy Class. One-way travel in Business Class needs 16,000 accrued mileage instead of 20,000.

It new seat
http://www.thai.to/aircraft/TG_Seat.jpg

BKK to JFK in 17 hours as smooth as silk

THAI AIRWAYS International will make aviation history from the start of May by starting an ultra long-haul non-stop flight from Bangkok to New York. Kanok Aphiradee, the president of the airline, told Business Day: “This is exciting and challenging for us. It will be the first superlong flight for us from Bangkok, using the new Airbus 340-500 series aircraft.......................

Cover Story (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=3091281#post3091281)

I'd hope to fly that flight, I need to save :).

I may be one of their customers because I can fly back to Thailand just only one stop from Toronto. COOL!!

I may be one of their customers because I can fly back to Thailand just only one stop from Toronto. COOL!!

Just a bit longer with flying AC, direct from YYZ/HKG [15 hrs], then transit one stop back

Surly it is a Good alternative for flying expereince :banana2:

But hate to transit from US :D

Thai Airways International Receives Plaque from WHO for Excellent In-Cabin Management of Hygienic Systems


25 January 2005


Thai Airways International was recently awarded a plaque from the World Health Organization (WHO) for excellent in-cabin management of hygienic systems.

THAI received the award due to the introduction of preventive SARS measures that the airline has continually implemented following the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak. In addition, the airline was commended for the creation of its Biological Outbreak Operation Manual, being the first airline in the world to introduce such a manual.

THAI introduced various preventive measures to guard against the spread of SARS that includes aviation measures such as spraying Ecotru 1453, thoroughly cleaning all in-cabin aircraft equipment or facilities at 36 touch points, inspection of the aircraft air circulation systems, changing air filters prior, and more.

Currently, THAI has implemented “The Most Hygienic In-Cabin Environment” program stressing the importance of hygiene in the passenger cabin, which includes food safety, importance of cleanliness, with all THAI employees continuously implementing these procedures.

In December 2004, Dr. Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, Assistant Director-General, Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization, traveled to Thailand to attend a briefing on the various measures THAI implemented and observed activities at THAI’s Crisis Management Operations Center that coordinates crises with various functions both inside and outside of the company whenever incidents occur that effect the company.

Thai Airways buys Boeing 777-200ERs


SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Boeing Co. booked an order from Thai Airways for six 777-200ER planes valued at $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2004, according to a news report.

This is the first time Thai Airways has been identified as the customer, AFX-Asia reported.

Deliveries will be made between August 2006 and October 2007, Boeing said in a statement released in Singapore, the report said.

Thai Airways president Kanon Abhiradee said it was purchasing 777-200ERs for its long-haul routes, the news report said.

In August, Thai Airways ordered six superjumbo A380s from Boeing rival Airbus.

Thai Airways December Passenger Loads Dip


January 31, 2005

Thai Airways said on Monday it filled 73.2 percent of its seats in December 2004, down from November and the same period a year earlier.

The airline is likely to see fewer passengers following the December 26 tsunami, which killed more than 5,300 people and devastated several hotels and resorts in southern Thailand.

Thai said earlier this month it expected revenue to fall by 1-3 billion baht (USD$26 million - USD$78 million) in the January-March period because customers had postponed or cancelled bookings.

The 54 percent, state-owned carrier said in a statement it filled 74.9 percent of its seats in November and 73.3 percent in December 2003.

It carried 1.72 million passengers in December, up from 1.66 million passengers in November, but down from 1.78 million in the same period a year earlier.

The airline filled 68.7 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in December, down from 70.6 percent in November, but up from 67.4 percent in December a year earlier.

The airline carried 5.01 million passengers and filled 73.7 percent of its seats for the first 3 months of its current financial year which runs from October 1 to September 30, it said.

That compared with 5.09 million passengers and a 73.2 percent passenger load in the same period a year earlier, it said.

Major rival Singapore Airlines said it carried 1.48 million passengers in December, up 5.9 percent from the same month a year earlier.

(Reuters)

1 February 2005


Thai Airways International today suspended its flights operated to and from Kathmandu, Nepal.

THAI’s flights routed Bangkok-Kathmandu v.v. were temporarily suspended following a curfew imposed by the Government of Nepal due to political reasons. Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport is closed due to political reasons until further notice. THAI said that flights would resume flights once the airport reopens.

THAI normally operates daily flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal. Flight TG319 operated on the route Bangkok-Kathmandu normally departs at 1030 hours and arrives at 1245 hours, and flight TG320 operated on the route Kathmandu-Bangkok normally departs at 1350 hours and arrives at 1815 hours, both utilizing Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

February 1, 2005

Thai AirAsia, 49 percent owned by Malaysian budget airline AirAsia, said on Tuesday it aims to carry up to 2.5 million passengers this year, up from about 1 million in 2004, and make its first profit.

Chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld also said he expected Asia's fledgling low-cost airline industry to grow 20-30 percent this year, down from last year's 30-40 percent.

"This year, competition should not be different from last year. The industry should grow 20-30 percent and AirAsia is targeting passengers of around 2.4 to 2.5 million," Tassapon said.

The airline, which started operations a year ago, had said it expected to make a profit in its first year of operations but it failed due to high oil prices and intense competition on both domestic and international routes.

Low fares would help AirAsia attract more passengers and it planned to double its fleet to 12 aircraft this year and expand to 20 planes over the next three and a half years, Tassapon said.

The airline wanted to boost its international routes, where profits were higher than on domestic routes, he said.

The airline planned to start at least three new international routes in April, to China, Hanoi and Phnom Penh, and a domestic Bangkok-Narathiwat route next week, he added.

Thai AirAsia is 50 percent owned by Shin Corp, Thailand's largest telecoms group, founded by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

(Reuters)

1 February 2005


Thai Airways International today suspended its flights operated to and from Kathmandu, Nepal.

THAI’s flights routed Bangkok-Kathmandu v.v. were temporarily suspended following a curfew imposed by the Government of Nepal due to political reasons. Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport is closed due to political reasons until further notice. THAI said that flights would resume flights once the airport reopens.

THAI normally operates daily flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal. Flight TG319 operated on the route Bangkok-Kathmandu normally departs at 1030 hours and arrives at 1245 hours, and flight TG320 operated on the route Kathmandu-Bangkok normally departs at 1350 hours and arrives at 1815 hours, both utilizing Boeing 777-200 aircraft.


Thai Airways International Resumes Flights to Kathmandu

3 February 2005


Thai Airways International has resumed flights operated to and from Kathmandu, Nepal after they were suspended Tuesday.

THAI normally operates daily flights to and from Kathmandu, Nepal. Flight TG319 operated on the route Bangkok-Kathmandu normally departs at 1030 hours and arrives at 1245 hours, and flight TG320 operated on the route Kathmandu-Bangkok normally departs at 1350 hours and arrives at 1815 hours, both utilizing Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

Thai Airways announces December traffic figures
02 February 2005
Airline Industry Information

Thai national carrier Thai Airways International has announced its passenger traffic figures for December 2004.

In December the airline carried 1.72 million passengers, a decrease of 3.1% compared to 2003. The decrease was caused by the tsunami which hit the country's southern provinces on 26 December.

The load factor for December 2004 was 73.2%, compared to 73.3% in 2003.

Thai working on new livery?
A look at what will likely become the new Thai Airways International colour scheme.


http://www.justplanes.net/images/9198.jpg

I thought they would change the logo as well.

Thai Airways wants to outsource new cabin crew

Posted on Sunday, February 13, 2005 @ 9:50 AM CET by sn26567

Thai Airways SN30952 writes "Thai Airways' management plans to outsource new cabin crew to various government agencies, including the Prime Minister's Office. The management wants to recruit 509 new attendants through Siam Ratchathanee Co, a recruiting agency and paid some BahtT200-million in fees to the recruitment agency charged with selecting qualified cabin crewmembers. The outsourced staff would not be permanent employees of the company.

Thai Airways labour unions are protesting because attendants provided by an outside organisation would be unable to provide the same degree of quality service offered by the carrier's full-time cabin crew and that the move would compromise safety standards.

Thai has 5,200 permanent crew staff, 1/10 would be outsourced."

Oh that's good.

Thai Airways International clarifies Adjustment and Cancellation of Domestic and International Flights

Go to >>>>> (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=168644)

Thai Airways International reports Net Profit of 5,717 Million Baht in First Quarter 2004/05

15 February 2005


Thai Airways International has reported its first quarter results for fiscal year 2004/05 (October to December 2004), whereby the net profit amounted to 5,717 million baht.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, announced that THAI’s first quarter results for fiscal year 2004/05 (October to December 2004) amounted to a total revenue from the sale of goods and the rendering of services of 43,063 million baht, with the profit from the sale of goods and the rendering of services of 6,406 million baht, a decrease of 1,039 million baht or 13.94 percent compared to the same period last year. When other incomes and expenses were included, THAI achieved a net profit of 5,717 million baht, an increase of 1,467 million baht or 34.52 percent compared to the same period last year. Earnings per share was 3.38 baht per share when compared to the same period last year, with net profit per share of 2.81 baht.

During the first quarter, THAI experienced profit from the sale of goods and the increased expansion of services when compared to the same period last year, which resulted from implementing a more aggressive marketing plan and routenet expansion. THAI’s cabin factor during this quarter was at 73.7 percent, an increase from 73.2 percent from the same period last year.

As for expenses, an increase was experienced due to the sale of goods and the rendering of services when compared to the same period last year at 5,848 million baht or 18.98 percent, primarily due to the increased cost and use of jet fuel. During this quarter, THAI earned a net profit before interest, income tax, depreciation, and rental (EBITDAR) of 11,041 million baht.

Thai working on new livery?
A look at what will likely become the new Thai Airways International colour scheme.


http://www.justplanes.net/images/9198.jpg

theyre changing the colour??

Ticketing deal to raise THAI costs

Airline wants to end Amadeus monopoly

NONDHANADA INTARAKOMALYASUT

Thai Airways International could face additional distribution costs of 400 million to one billion baht per year due to its recent decision to open up domestic ticketing to Cendant Travel Distribution Services and break the current monopoly held by Thai Amadeus.

David Brett, the Asia-Pacific president for Amadeus Asia, warned that the move by the national carrier would not only result in substantial investment costs for THAI, but lead to higher processing fees.

The move, approved by the THAI board last week, would allow Cendant's Galileo service the right to book and issue domestic tickets through subscriber travel agents. Final approvals are expected within the next few days.

Last November, THAI eliminated paper tickets in favour of electronic ticketing for all domestic flights, a move in keeping with policies by the International Air Transport Association for airlines to go paperless worldwide by 2007.

Domestic e-tickets are handled through Thai Amadeus, a 55%-held subsidiary of THAI. Other shareholders include TOT Corp, CAT Telecom and Amadeus, one of the world's largest travel services companies.

The switch to e-tickets gave Amadeus a virtual monopoly on domestic ticketing, thanks to a 10-year exclusive contract with THAI signed in 2003. In contrast, international THAI tickets are handled by a variety of vendors, including Amadeus and Galileo.

But THAI and local tourism authorities, seeking to expand Thailand's role as a global tourism destination and aviation hub, believe that allowing other global travel providers, such as Galileo or Abacus, to compete would ultimately boost the size of the local market.

THAI president Kanok Abhiradee on Friday, in a conference call with analysts, said the airline was working with Thai Amadeus to strengthen its market share.

``At the same time, we are proceeding with efforts to increase our distribution channels to enhance our sales potential,'' he added.

But Mr Brett questioned if the policy shift was in the best interests of THAI.

``We believe strongly that the decision is very uneconomical for THAI, and some people in the airline have the same opinion,'' he told the Bangkok Post.

``We don't really understand. ... We've been working towards making the distribution network more efficient and the airline has been spending a long time negotiating with us but all of a sudden, it gave a contract to Cendant.''

Mr Brett said that the cost of making a reservation through Cendant was ``four to five times'' higher than the fees charged by Amadeus.

THAI would not only have to shoulder new IT investment costs to join with Galileo, but would also face higher fees from Amadeus as the company would have to hike rates to make up for lower transactions once Cendant began services, he added.

``Normally, a national carrier would conduct the domestic distribution channel by itself as it can save costs and keep its fares competitive. THAI is already in an enviable position, so why is it heading in the opposite direction?'' Mr Brett asked.

THAI sources said Prajak Jamrusmechoti, the airline's senior executive vice-president for special projects, had been the main driver of the proposal to open up domestic ticketing. Ironically, Mr Prajak is the chairman of the Thai Amadeus joint venture.

Last July, Cendant announced an agreement with THAI and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to create new marketing campaigns and promote the country through web sites such as Cheaptickets.com, RatesToGo.com and HotelClub.Com, with a network of 44,000 travel agencies and other channels.

Sources said that Cendant later told the TAT that it would need access to THAI's domestic ticketing if it was to meet the goal of bringing in two million new tourists to the country each year. The TAT is targeting 12-13 million tourists this year, but arrivals are almost certain to fall short in the aftermath of the Dec 26 tsunami.

Thai Airways Lowers Tsunami Rev Loss Projection To THB1B


02-21-05 11:00 PM EST

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) has lowered its projected revenue loss from the deadly Dec. 26 tsunami in the January-March period to THB1 billion, from THB3 billion previously.

"Initially, we thought that the tsunami impact would linger and hurt our revenues for a couple months. However, it turns out that January is the only month that we were hit by the incident," Kanok Abhiradee, the national carrier's president told reporters late Monday.

He said passenger load factor - the percentage of seats filled - in January, usually one of its peak months, averaged at around 70% while that of February is over 70%. Official load factor data for January is due to be released at the end of this month.

Kanok said that the company will need to lower its revenue target for fiscal 2005 ending Sept. 30, to take in the impact of the tsunami, which devastated coasts around the Indian Ocean, including the popular Thai resort island of Phuket. The revision is expected to be submitted to the company's board this month.

The national carrier has a long-term target of annual revenue growth of at least 5%.

The company recorded THB152.60 billion in total revenue and THB10.08 billion in net profit for fiscal 2004.

The tsunami struck at the peak of Thailand's tourist season. The deadly waves were a fresh blow to tourism-related industries following last year's bird flu epidemic and the outbreak of the deadly SARS virus in 2003.

Kanok confirmed that the company is looking to issue THB15 billion of debentures but the details as well as timing of issuance will be up to market appetite and the financial adviser, which has yet to be named.

Banking sources familiar with the deal have said that the carrier plans to issue the debentures around the middle of this year.

The proceeds will be used to fund the airline's fleet expansion.

"Since interest rates are on the uptrend, we prefer fixed-rate debentures. But that would depend on the financial adviser's opinion too," said Kanok.

In October last year, Thai Airways issued THB15 billion worth of senior debentures, mainly to retail investors.

-By Phisanu Phromchanya, Dow Jones Newswires

Thai Airways International and United Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) are working together through the “Love Andaman Thailand” campaign


Go to >>>>>>>>>>>>>> (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=3387966#post3387966)

why don't Thai fly to Amsterdam ? anybody knows ??????

Thai flies to amsterdam.

visit http://www.thaiairways.nl/ for details

no amsterdam
http://www.thaiairways.nl/network/images/network_big.jpg

That routemap is from 2003!

Now there are direct Bangkok - Madrid and Bangkok - Milan

while Bangkok - Geneva (via Zurich) are now suspended

Bangkok - Amsterdam will be operated by Phuket Air next month.

theyre changing the colour??

Yes, New design for the A340-500, flying btw BKK-JFK by first of May

http://www.pantip.com/cafe/wahkor/topic/X3295625/X3295625-0.jpg

http://www.thaiair.com/images/Promotions/newyork_ad1.jpg

BIG promotion to BIG APPLE

Six times weekly.
TG 790 BKK-JFK 0:40 - 06:35 Daily except Monday
TG 791 JFK-BKK 12:00 - 16:10 Daily except Monday

38,000bt for Y
45,000bt for ( premium Y )

Departure date : 01MAY2005 - 30JUN2005
Reservation/Ticketing date : NOW - 30JUN 2005

The new airbus that they will be using is awesome.

Thai Airways Passenger Loads Dip
March 3, 2005

Thai Airways International said on Thursday it filled 69.2 percent of its seats in January, down from December and the same period a year earlier.

The national carrier is likely to carry fewer passengers following the December 26 tsunami, which killed more than 5,300 people and devastated several dozen hotels and resorts in southern Thailand.

Thai Airways said in January it expected revenue to fall 1-3 billion baht in the January-March period because customers had postponed or canceled bookings following the tsunami.

The 54 percent state-owned carrier said in a statement on Thursday it filled 73.2 percent of its seats in December and 79.3 percent in January 2004.

It carried 1.45 million passengers in January, down from 1.72 million in December and 1.85 million in the same period a year earlier.

The airline filled 63.8 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in January, down from 68.7 percent in December, 70.6 percent in November and 68.2 percent in January last year.

The airline said it carried 6.5 million passengers and filled 72.5 percent of its seats in the first 4 months of its current financial year which runs from October 1 to September 30.

That compared with 6.9 million passengers and a 74.8 percent passenger load in the same period a year earlier, it said.

(Reuters)

Commencing the first of June 2005 the following changes will take place when traveling with Thai Airways:

Y Class travel will increase to 110% of miles flown.
Y Class is the booking class code for full fare Economy travel and for travel in Economy Deluxe class or Premium Economy class on selected routes.

V, W booking class codes will not be eligible for mileage accrual.

These booking class codes are specially reduced Economy Class fares.

It's New Airbus 340-500

http://www.thaiair.com/images/Travel_Destination/ny_interior.jpg
http://www.thaiair.com/images/Travel_Destination/ny_seat.jpg
http://www.thaiair.com/images/Travel_Destination/ny_facility.jpg
http://www.thaiair.com/images/Travel_Destination/ny_menu.jpg

The seats on the first picture looks so ugly! But the other are great!

Thai Airways International Increases Flights in Summer Schedule 2005
14 March 2005


Thai Airways International is to launch flights to New York and increase international flights during its Summer Schedule, effective 27 March – 29 October 2005.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said that Thai Airways International has made adjustments to its routenet in accordance with passenger demand during the Summer Schedule 2005 related to destinations: London, Madrid, Stockholm, Frankfurt, Sydney, Auckland, Beijing, Manila, Ho Chi Minh, and New York, U.S.A.

In support of the increase in flights THAI will receive delivery of 4 aircraft, those being 2 Airbus 340-500 aircraft in March and April 2005 and 2 Airbus 340-600 aircraft in June and July 2005.

THAI has also adjusted its domestic flight schedule to destinations such as Phuket and Krabi, resuming normal flight operations on these routes, following a prior decrease and suspension of flights due to a drop in passenger traffic.

Thai Airways to launch first non-stop service to US in May

BANGKOK, March 14 (AFP) - Thailand's national carrier Thai Airways on Monday announced an expansion of its international routes, including its first non-stop flights to the United States starting May 1.

The airline would later this month extend existing international flight schedules to nine cities, as part of a flight route expansion for the summer.

"These adjustments were made in order to support expansion of the investment market, business and leisure travel in the USA, and tourists increased needs to travel, following the Thai government and private sectors efforts to work together to revive tourism after the tsunami," the airline said in a statement.

The 17-hour New York flights would operate six times a week and carry 215 passengers, it said. The airline already flies four times a week to Los Angeles via Osaka, Japan.

Between March 27 and October 29 the airline would also add an extra flight per week to London, Madrid, Stockholm and Frankfurt.

The carrier would add three flights per week to Beijing, two to Manila and one to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

The airline has also added three flights each to Sydney and Auckland, boosting weekly flights to those cities to 14 and 10 respectively.

Thai would take delivery of four new Airbus passenger jets between March and July, including the first of two long haul A340-500s arriving this month, which would allow direct flights to New York. Two A340-600s are due to arrive in June and July.

The carrier in April 2003 approved an order for eight Airbus aircraft - three A340-500s and five A340-600s for delivery starting late 2004 - in a deal worth 981 million dollars.

Thai Airways International to offer Special Fares at THAI Travel Fair 2005
17 March 2005


Thai Airways International is holding a 'THAI Travel Fair' during 18-20 March 2005 at the Grand Hall, Siam Discovery Center in Bangkok from 10.00-20.00 hrs.

Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Executive Vice President, Commercial, said this special promotion is in response to the Government’s policy to revive and regain the confidence of tourists traveling to southern Thailand, especially in three provinces that were affected by the tsunami, as well as to restore public confidence in Thailand’s tourism industry.

At the event, THAI will offer special domestic and international airfares and Euarng Luang packages for domestic flights. THAI will also introduce special airfares on its new route Bangkok-New York v.v. which utilizes its new Airbus 340-500 aircraft.

THAI will be promoting the following packages at the event:

- The Andaman Sun Sand and Sea package will be available departures from Bangkok and other destinations to 4 southern provinces namely, Krabi, Phuket, Trang, and Had Yai at 1,710 Baht for a one-way trip (excluding airport tax and insurance surcharge).

- Special Economy Class fares (excluding airport tax and insurance surcharge) will be available for flights departing from Bangkok to other destinations. For example, Bangkok-Hong Kong v.v. at the price of 7,000 Baht or Bangkok-Australia v.v. at the price of 16,900 Baht.

- Special Economy Class fares for 2 passengers will be offered at the starting price of 31,000 Baht (excluding airport tax and insurance surcharge). Passengers purchasing a return ticket on the route Bangkok- New York v.v. at the event will receive the following special offer:

- Purchase one Premium Economy Class ticket and receive one free Economy Class return ticket for a THAI domestic flight. Purchase one Royal Silk Class and receive one free Business Class return ticket for travel on a THAI flight to a destination in the Asian region, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Kunming, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, etc., or receive one free business class return ticket for domestic travel.

- Purchase one Royal Silk Class ticket or Premium Economy Class ticket and receive an upgrade on class of travel for the next trip (subject to available seats).

In addition, “New York Just for You” special airfare will be offered to frequent flyers traveling often to New York or those traveling at least 2 roundtrips a year for purchase of roundtrip business class tickets routed Bangkok-New York v.v. at the event for 88,870 Baht (excluding airport tax and insurance surcharge).

- Special tour packages will be offered for Euarng Luang for domestic travel and Royal Orchid Holidays for international travel, included with the airline ticket are hotel accommodations, breakfast, and transfer between airport and hotel.

- Andaman Sun Sand and Sea, initial offer at from 4,500 Baht (Only on Andaman routes: Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Krabi, and Bangkok-Trang)

- New York Stopover, initial offer at 36,060 Baht

- Australia/New Zealand Stopover, initial offer at 22,075 Baht

- Tokyo Stopover, initial offer at 18,810 Baht

- Singapore Take a Break, initial offer at 7,390 Baht (excluding airport tax and insurance surcharge)

Those who purchase an airline ticket at the event will be also able to participate in a chance to win a free roundtrip ticket on the route Bangkok-New York v.v.

Thai Airways International upgrades Inflight Products for Royal First Class and Royal Executive Class Passengers
21 March 2005


Thai Airways International has upgraded and introduced world-class brand name inflight products for its Royal First Class and Royal Executive Class passengers.

In an attempt to improve its service standards, Thai Airways International is introducing world-class brand name products to its Royal First and Royal Executive Class as follows:

- “Elle” and “Guy Laroche” comfort wear offered in various styles and colours of PJs such as long robes, long nightwear and woolen PJs prepared in a quality cloth bag with sleeping blindfolds and slippers.

- 100% cotton slippers produced by Thai's are being offered to Royal Executive Class passengers traveling on the pilot project routes which are Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Seoul and London.

Toilet Kits including body lotion, eau de toilette and cologne as follows:

- “Hermès” brand will be offered to Royal First Class passengers

- “L’Occitane” brand will be offered for Royal Executive Class passengers

Travel Kits will be available from April onwards as follows:

- “Hermès” and “Bvlgari” brands will be offered to Royal First Class passengers

- “Biotherm” and “Dupont” brands will be offered for Royal Executive Class passengers

- Noise Guard and Noise Cancellation Earphones will also be available from April onwards.

- OTOP Mangosteen scented soap will be offered to Royal First Class and Royal Executive Class passengers on the route Bangkok – Tokyo.

fab kits

Only one OTOP product? I think OTOP has a lot of interesting stuffs more than L'Occitane.

Thai Airways Feb passenger load rises from Jan

BANGKOK, March 29 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL said on Tuesday it filled 70.7 percent of its seats in February, up from the previous month but down from the same period a year earlier.

The national carrier saw a rebound in business in February after a drop in passenger numbers in January following the Dec. 26 tsunami, which killed more than 5,300 people and devastated several dozen hotels and resorts in southern Thailand.

The 54 percent state-owned carrier said in a statement it filled 69.2 percent of its seats in January and 73.6 percent in February 2004.

It filled 66.8 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in February, up from 63.8 percent in January but down from 67.4 percent in February 2004.

However, it carried 1.35 million passengers in February this year, down from 1.45 million in January and 1.61 million in the same period a year earlier, it said.

The airline said it carried 7.8 million passengers and filled 72.2 percent of its seats in the first 5 months of its current financial year which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

That compared with 8.5 million passengers and a 74.5 percent passenger load in the same period a year earlier, it said.

Major rival Singapore Airlines said it carried 1.19 million passengers in February this year, down 0.6 percent from the same month a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said its February traffic rose 24.1 percent from a year earlier to 1.16 million as it expanded capacity and introduced new routes.

Thai Airways shares closed unchanged at 46.75 baht on Tuesday, while the overall stock market fell 0.9 percent.

good for them

I read that Thai is starting service to New York. I wonder if they will ever start service to San Francisco. I remember Thai making an unscheduled landing in San Francisco on September 11, 2001. The 747-400 Thai flight was to land in Los Angeles but U.S. authorities instructed the flight to divert to Vancouver, Canada. The pilot radioed SFO for an emergency landing fearing fuel shortage if plane continued to Canada. It was a beautiful sight seeing Thai in San Francisco!!!!

San Francisco is a world class city with an airport that has quite a large number of foreign carriers serving the airport. Many being asian carriers.

Yeah,I wish THAI operates more to US cities and Canada as well.

what aircraft does Thai uses into karachi, and lahore and are the pax load good?

karachi A330-300 4 times/week

are the pax good>?

Thai Airways International resumes Regular Flights between Bangkok-Hat Yai
4 April 2005


Thai Airways International today resumed regular flights on the route Bangkok-Hat Yai, following the resumption of normal services at Hat Yai International Airport. The airport was closed Sunday, resulting in the temporary suspension of flight departures and arrivals.

THAI is now operating normal flights on the route Bangkok-Hat Yai, based on the regular flight schedule of 4 flights per day.

Thai Airways International adds 7,000 Seats to Domestic Routes for Songkran Festival
5 April 2005


Thai Airways International is to increase flight frequency and use larger aircraft types on its domestic routes, such as to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Surat Thani, Krabi, Trang, and Phuket in order to support domestic travel during the 12-18 April 2005 period of the Songkran Festival.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President, said that during Songkran Festival 2005, the government and private sectors have organized Songkran activities in various regions based on Thai culture and traditions, supporting domestic tourism. The increase of 7,000 seats on its domestic flights is as follows:

Bangkok - Chiang Mai
Increase of 5 special flights on 12, 13, 15, 16, and 17 April 2005.
Change to larger aircraft type for 2 flights on 13 and 14 April 2005.

Bangkok - Chiang Rai
Increase of 2 special flights on 13 and 15 April 2005.
Change to larger aircraft type for 4 flights on 12, 13, 16, and 17 April 2005.

Bangkok - Phuket
Change to larger aircraft type for 2 flights on 13 and 15 April 2005.

Bangkok - Surat Thani
Change to larger aircraft type for 2 flights on 13 and 15 April 2005.

Bangkok - Krabi
Increase of 2 special flights on 13 and 16 April 2005.

Bangkok - Trang
Increase of 2 special flights on 13 and 17 April 2005.

Thai Airways International and EgyptAir launch codeshare
4 April 2005


Thai Airways International and EgyptAir have commenced code-share flights, as a block seat agreement, on the route Bangkok - Cairo at two flights per week, operating on EgyptAir's aircraft with THAI as the marketing carrier.

Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI's Executive Vice President for Commercial said, "The code-share agreement between THAI and EgyptAir routed Cairo - Bangkok v.v. introduces Cairo as another destination that covers white spot areas in THAI's network. Code-share flights, operated two flights per week utilizing Boeing 777-200 aircraft, will successfully support the Bangkok Gateway to various destinations worldwide."

Mr. Mohamed Mouneir, EgyptAir's Vice President, Commercial said, "The code-share agreement and its further developments will offer THAI and EgyptAir customers the opportunity to benefit from both carriers' network. EgyptAir's plans are to double the current frequencies during the summer to support links between the two hubs of Cairo and Bangkok."

EgyptAir serves over 56 destinations worldwide in 42 countries, spanning four continents, including Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East, and the United States.

Thai Airways International initiates Major Airbus Fleet Expansion
6 April 2005


Thai Airways International has taken delivery of the first of four A340-500s, with the aircraft also being the first in the entire fleet to be painted in the airline’s new livery. This event marks the start of a major Airbus widebody fleet expansion programme, which will also see six A340-600s entering service between 2005- 08 and six A380-800s entering service between 2008-09.

The A340-500s will allow for a completely new network of ultra long-haul services from Bangkok to North America, whilst the A340-600s will replace older aircraft currently operated to secondary cities in Europe. Thai Airways International’s A380s are destined to operate on major trunk routes from Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi airport to major destinations in Europe.

All four A340-500s and six A340-600s in the Thai Airways International fleet will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, which burn up to 20 per cent less fuel than older generation jet engines.

“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.

“The relationship between Thai Airways International and Airbus stretches back to the first A300 order in 1977 and I am naturally delighted to see the airline take delivery of our latest generation widebody A340-500 as the first step in its long haul Airbus fleet expansion.” said Noel Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer. “With Thailand’s strong domestic economy and booming tourism & trade, I am particularly confident of a bright future for Thai Airways International’s new Airbus fleet operating from the all new Suvarnabhumi hub airport.”

New 747 Color of Thai Airways Internationalhttp://www.thaitechnics.com/webboard/view.php?topic=3224

Business Times - 07 Apr 2005

Thai Airways unveils new corporate makeover, aircraft

BANGKOK - Thailand's national carrier Thai Airways on Thursday unveiled a new corporate makeover and the first of its eight new aircraft, an Airbus A340-500.

In a colourful ceremony in a hangar at the Bangkok International Airport before guests, the media, and hundreds of Thai Air staff, the updated logo marks the company's first rebranding in 30 years.

The logo and livery features on a new A340-500 which arrived on Thursday morning in Bangkok from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France.

The 82nd aircraft in the airline's fleet, it will fly the new 17-hour non-stop direct route to New York, starting May 1.

In-flight entertainment, food and seating has been enhanced, with seats removed on some aircraft so those remaining can incline more.

The airline's new corporate identity aims to 'build on what we have,' Thai Airways president Kanok Abhiradee said in a press conference.

'We want to give passengers not just services of (an) international standard. We aim for more than that.'

The US$2.5-million corporate makeover contract was won by Britain-based Interbrand. The logo is similar to the old, but is now three dimensional and features richer colours, Mr Kanok said.

Also unveiled were new uniforms for flight attendants, ground crew and front service staff. They were designed by noted Thailand's Pichitra Boonyarataphan.

The retrofitting refurbishments will start with the airline's 14 Boeing 747-400s, a process taking about 18 months. Some retrofitting will be outsourced to other companies.

The entire corporate makeover and retrofitting should take slightly more than two years, Mr Kanok said.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thai Airways International To Offer THB15B Bonds April
7 April 2005

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) plans to issue up to THB15 billion of bonds this month to raise funds for a down payment on aircraft and for working capital, a fund manager said Thursday.

The offering will be divided into three tranches. The first will be three years, the second, six years and the third, 10 years. All will carry fixed coupon rates, the fund manager said.

"The offering is expected at a premium of 100 basis points (over government bond yields), more or less," he said.

As of Thursday, yields for three-, six- and 10-year government bonds stood at 3.26%, 3.91% and 4.56% respectively.

The final coupon rate will be fixed via a bookbuilding process later this month. The national carrier is scheduled to hold a roadshow on April 18.

The bonds will be offered to both retail and institutional investors.

Siam Commercial Bank PCL and Britain-based Standard Chartered Bank, a unit of Standard Chartered PLC, were appointed the deal's arranger, the airline said in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

The offering was rated AA- by TRIS Rating Co., a local credit rating agency.

In October last year, Thai Airways issued THB15 billion of senior debentures, mainly to retail investors.

Thai Airways Starts Airbus Fleet Expansion
06 April 2005
Dow Jones News Service

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Airbus (ABI.YY) delivered the first of four A340-500s to Thai Airways International PLC (THAI.TH), marking the start of the air carrier's major Airbus widebody fleet expansion program.

In a press release Wednesday, Airbus said it also sees six A340-600s entering service between 2005-08 and six A380-800s entering service between 2008-09 for Thai Airways.

Thai Airways Internationals's A330s are planned to operate on major trunk routes from Bankok's new Suvarnabhumi airport to major destinations in Europe. The A340-600s will replace older aircraft currently operated to secondary cities in Europe.

Separately, Airbus Spares Support & Services signed a memorandum of understanding for Mexmil Co. to make, market and distribute specific Airbus spare parts for the thermo-acoustic insulation blanket market. The agreement would mark the first time an Airbus supplier has assumed responsibility for the complete supply chain of Airbus parts.

THAI unveils new brand image
BUSRIN TREERAPONGPICHIT

National flag carrier Thai Airways International yesterday unveiled a new brand image, featuring a corporate logo boasting a three-dimensional look with sharper, more distinctive colours, a more modern look at customer contact points and a 14-billion-baht aircraft renovation programme.

``We have used the same corporate image for over 24 years. It's time to change, to modernise our image to better reach our customers,'' said THAI president Kanok Abhiradee.

The rebranding includes an initial investment of 14 billion baht to refurbish 24 of the airline's top aircraft, featuring new livery, redesigned interior cabins and seat reallocations.

Inflight entertainment and other facilities will be completely modernised under the two-year programme, featuring the latest video-on-demand and entertainment technology.

THAI will upgrade its 14 Boeing 777-400 long-haul aircraft by itself, with changes to its 777-200 and 777-300 fleet outsourced. Changes include new recliner beds for first-class customers and the introduction of a new Royal Silk Class for business customers. New Airbus A340-500 and A340-600 aircraft scheduled for delivery this year will also feature the new design changes, including a new premium economy configuration.

The new design was on display yesterday on THAI's latest aircraft, a newly delivered A340-500 that will be used to fly the new 17-hour, non-stop direct route to New York starting on May 1.

The modifications to the first 24 aircraft were expected to be completed within two years, with the rest of the airline's 83-plane fleet to be changed afterwards.

The rebranding will also include new staff uniforms, redesigned passenger lounges and ticketing offices and other modifications. The aircraft will feature iridescent colours through the use of mica paint, a first for the industry. ``The new identity will focus on three concepts _ High Trust, World Class and Thai Touch,'' he said.

``The change will affect all customer touchpoints, and is aimed at maximising customer satisfaction with THAI in today's increasingly competitive market.''

UK-based Interbrand was retained in 2002 to advise on the rebranding programme in a $2.6-million contract.

Panya Vijintanasarn, a well-known Thai artist, was recruited to help develop a new graphic to be used to symbolise the ``Thai Touch''. Designer Pichitra Boonyarataphan of RTD Textile Industrial was retained to help draw up new uniform styles for flight attendants and other staff.

Mr Kanok said the changes would help THAI continue to grow in the international market, with revenues expected to rise to 230 billion baht by 2008 from an estimated 150-160 billion this year.

THAI reported net profits of 10 billion baht on revenues of 151 billion for fiscal 2004 ending last September. First-quarter profits for the period ending Dec 31 were 5.7 billion baht on revenues of 46 billion.

Shares of THAI closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 46 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 67.3 million baht.

Thai Airways joins China's biggest aviation distribution system


Thai Airways International announced a plan Sunday to join China's biggest aviation distribution system, Travel Sky, to better serve China's rapid growing aviation and tourism market.

This is an unprecedented procedure to upgrade the airline's image in China. Other methods will include operating the new aircraft Airbus A380, reorganizing its Chinese team, adopting a new logo for the company and moving to new office in Beijing.

Travel Sky will provide electronic distribution support for Thai Airways. In 2004, Travel Sky reaped overall revenue of more than one billion yuan (125 million US dollars) from airline companies, airports, ticket agents, customers and cargo dealers, up 43.6 percent compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, said Peng Mingtian, president of the company.

Thai Airways hopes its focus on China will help shake off the negative influence of December's tsunami and promote tourism recovery. The airline will launch morning flights from Beijing to Bangkok beginning May 1 to accommodate for passengers who wish to transfer to other destinations within the same day.

Thai Airways started to fly to Guangzhou in 1983 and Beijing in1994. It became an important bridge of Sino-Thai economic and trade relations.

Source: Xinhua

good for them :)

Thai Airways International investigates Aircraft Irregularity
20 April 2005


Thai Airways International is investigating an incident involving THAI's Airbus 330-300 aircraft, flight TG602, on the route Bangkok - Hong Kong at 19.50 hours on 19 April 2005.

Prior to takeoff at Bangkok International Airport, the pilot-in-command realized that there was irregularity regarding the right wing and therefore had a technician conduct an investigation. It was concluded that the wingtip of the right wing had fallen off, whereby at the same time the company's operations center reported that an aircraft part was found on the wing of Singapore Airlines' aircraft flight SQ068 that was parked at Parking Bay 52 whereby the aileron on the left wing had been torn a certain length.

After the irregularity was discovered, the pilot-in-command requested a change of aircraft. During that time, 183 passengers were in transit in the international terminal, with flight departing Bangkok at 23.15 hours, arriving in Hong Kong at 03.52 hours (local time).

The airline concluded that there may have been 2 causes of the incident, as follows:

1. Whether or not Singapore Airlines' aircraft was parked in the right position 2. Whether or not THAI's aircraft reversed in the right route

THAI has set up a committee to investigate the causes of the incident.

please visit this page for more photos on Thai Airways' new corporate identity.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=202449&page=2

Thai Rebrands, Upgrades Fleet To Become Top Asian Carrier
William Dennis
Aviation Daily
Apr 12, 2005

With its new corporate identity and rebranding completed, Thai Airways International is aiming to be the top Asian airline by 2008.

To that end, the carrier will embark on a massive THB14 billion (US$353 million) upgrade in the next two years that will involve the redesign of the interior of its Boeing 747-400s, 777-200/-300s, Airbus A330-300 and 737-400 fleets.

The premium cabins of the 747-400 and 777 fleets will be reconfigured and fitted with sleeper seats. A new inflight entertainment system, the Matsushita 3000i, will replace the existing system in all three classes of the two fleets and the A330-300s.

The first Airbus A340-500 configured for three classes was delivered last week and features the new livery and new premium cabin offering. The livery maintains the orchid design in a three-dimensional look with sharper, more distinctive colors. The rebranding includes new uniforms for the airline's staff, redesigned lounges at airports and ticket offices.

Winning Over The Customer

"As the carrier's markets experience rapid change with the growth of low fare airlines, the new product is in an investment in Thai Airways' competitiveness as a premium global airline," said Thai Airways President Kanok Abhiradee. "The new offering will propel the carrier towards achieving its aim as it expands into new markets," he added. Kanok acknowledged that Thai Airways is the last carrier in Southeast Asia to upgrade its premium cabins but believes it will have the competitive edge. "In the airline business today it is not just pricing but also what the carrier has to offer the customer," Kanok noted.

The 747-400 fleet upgrade will be carried out by the carrier's engineering maintenance center in U-Tapao, while the 777 fleet upgrade will be farmed out. The exercise is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Thai Airways has expanded its A340-500 and A340-600 orders placed in 2003 to four and six, respectively, to meet its expansion requirements. The second of four A340-500s will be delivered at the end of the month, and will be used for the nonstop New York flight, starting May 1. Initially the service will be operated five times weekly and increase to six flights on July 2. The other two A340-500s will be delivered in October and November, while the A340-600s are slated for delivery on a staggered basis from June 2005 through to 2008.

Kanok believes that Thai Airways will be able to attract traffic from Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia and possibly Singapore for its New York service.

Thai Airways has projected a 60% increase in profit for the year ending Sept. 30 from last year's THB10 billion. It recorded a profit of THB5.72 billion for the first quarter ended Dec. 31, up 35% over the previous quarter. -WD

Thai Airways International launches Premium Ticket Delivery Service for First Class Passengers in Bangkok
25 April 2005


Thai Airways International is to launch a new premium ticket delivery service to expand direct premium passenger sales services targeted at Royal First Class passengers on international routes.

Mr. Pandit Chanapai, THAI's Director, Area Thailand, said this service is aimed at rendering special services to First Class passengers in Bangkok. Advance arrangement must be made within two working days prior to conducting travel. The ticket will be delivered in the afternoon on working days only.

THAI staff may soon have to pay own taxes
Carrier denies delays caused by angry pilots
29 April 2005
Bangkok Post

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

The board of Thai Airways International will next month consider a new pay scale under which employees will have to pay personal income taxes themselves.

THAI chairman Wanchai Sarathoonthat, who denied a pilot strike was in the offing, said airline management will on May 12 review figures proposed by the airline's labour union which reflect its demands if staff pay their own income tax.

Mr Wanchai said there were some misunderstandings about the proposed new pay scale.

In October 2003, the board approved in principle a 6% general increase in pay.

However, he said, the board had yet to receive from management a report on the exact figures to be increased. A special meeting was later held on March
23 to discuss the matter. During the meeting, Mr Wanchai said, the board approved in principle that the increase would take effect on April 1.

He said the Auditor-General's office had asked the national air carrier to include personal income taxes of its staff in the new salaries since it was the only state enterprise which excluded taxes from staff salaries.

Mr Wanchai denied reports that several flight delays on April 27 were caused by pilots protesting the pay scale under which they and other employees would be required to pay their own income tax.

He said the delay of some flights was caused by technical problems, not a pilot protest.

Veerachai Sripa, executive vice-president for flight operations, said most THAI pilots were satisfied with the proposed pay scale. However, time was needed to create understanding among pilots about the inclusion of personal income taxes since pilots had several sources of income, such as salary, overtime wages, flight per-diems and other allowances.

"On April 27, no THAI pilots were sick. The flight delays were not caused by the pilots, but by other problems. We have enough pilots to operate our flights. Now, there are 1,053 pilots. We also have 100 other reserve pilots from the Royal Thai Air Force.

thai news destination
hyderabad starting this year
moscow starting this october
johannesburg starting this december

The results for the 2005 Best Airline Lounges survey have been published by Skytrax Research, covering First and Business class airline lounges.

Detail (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=4055047#post4055047)

FIRST CLASS LOUNGE RANKING

2 Thai Airways - BKK

THAI unit looks overseas
SUJINTANA HEMTASILPA


With more and more people flying _ and dining while aloft _ Thai Airways International is looking to expand its catering business abroad to Japan, Qatar and India.

``That's our plan, once our new facility at Suvarnabhumi airport is operational,'' said Pismai Chandrubeksa, managing director for THAI's catering department.

Airline food is big business. The catering department last year generated five billion baht in revenues for THAI. While representing just 3% of the national carrier's annual revenues, it's an area that is growing rapidly for the airline, particularly as an outsourcing service for other carriers.

THAI produces 75,000 meals a day for its own inflight services, domestic catering operations and 47 international carriers. While some 75% of the 49,000 daily inflight meals produced by THAI's international catering centres service THAI's own flights, sales to five airlines _ Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Air France and EVA Air _ generate around half of total catering revenues.

THAI has been planning to set up catering centres in the three countries. Initially, it wants to set up at least two centres in two of the three countries by 2010.

Ms Pismai explained that building a catering centre abroad entailed a huge investment.

``We've spent almost four billion baht on our new catering facility at Suvarnabhumi airport, and people in the industry were surprised that we managed to do it at such a low cost. To set up a similar facility of the same size abroad might require an investment that is three times higher,'' she said.

THAI now operates two catering facilities, one for the international inflight catering services and the other for domestic inflight catering, four airport restaurants, bakery outlets under the brand Puff and Pie, and on-the-ground catering services.

The airline has invested about 800 million baht on its 26-rai catering centre for international catering services, and 525 million baht on the eight-rai facility for domestic services.

For the construction of the new 70,000-square-metre facility at Suvarnabhumi, which is about four times larger than the current international catering centre, THAI has spent 3.7 billion baht.

According to Ms Pismai, THAI's executive board sees more potential for THAI's catering service to expand abroad rather than domestically.

The company did not yet have any plans to set up another catering centre in Thailand, she said.

THAI has already formed a partnership with a local operator in Japan. It also will be the main caterer at the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar and hope to use that assignment as a foothold to win more catering deals in the Middle East.

The airline is eyeing India as a location for another catering centre in the view that such a facility would be cost-effective since THAI currently flies to 13 cities in the South Asian country.

THAI can reduce its catering costs by setting up catering centres in locations that serve as the airline's hubs, explained Vuthichai Dithipeng, the Catering Department's legal officer.

``It's cheaper to buy our own raw materials and process the food ourselves than purchase ready-made products from outsource suppliers,'' he said.

Thai Airways Fills More Seats
May 6, 2005

Thai Airways said on Friday it filled 71.9 percent of its seats in March, up from the previous month and the same period a year earlier.

The 54 percent state-owned carrier said in a statement it filled 70.7 percent of its seats in February and 68.9 percent in March 2004.

It filled 68.7 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in March, up from 66.8 percent in February and 65.5 percent in the same period last year.

It carried 1.54 million passengers in March this year, up from 1.35 million in February, but down from 1.63 million in the same period a year earlier, it said.

The airline said it carried 9.35 million passengers and filled 72.1 percent of its seats in the first 6 months of its current financial year, which runs from October 1 to September 30.

That compared with 10.18 million passengers and a 73.6 percent passenger load in the same period a year earlier.

Major rival Singapore Airlines said it filled 67.5 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in March, down from 70.9 percent a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said its March passenger traffic rose 21.8 percent from a year earlier to 1.26 million.

(Reuters)

Thai Airways International to provide Complimentary Transfer Service in Bangkok
9 May 2005


Thai Airways International is to provide a complimentary Royal Transfer Service to its Royal Silk Class and Premium Economy Class passengers on arrival and departure in the Bangkok area from 1 May to 31 July 2005 to help promote the carrier's new non-stop flights between Bangkok and New York.

Through THAI's Royal Transfer Service, passengers will be transported via brand new luxury Benz E220 vehicles. THAI staff will call passengers 24 hours prior to departure to confirm their booking. Passengers who wish to change their booking are advised to contact 02 9733191 and 02 973 3199 one day before travel.

Thai Airways International works with Oriental Hotel Bangkok's Executive Chef to create Special Menu for Bangkok-New York service
9 May 2005


To celebrate its inaugural flight on the direct route Bangkok - New York, Thai Airways International is working with the Oriental Hotel Bangkok to arrange a special menu for passengers flying on board flight TG790 routed Bangkok - New York.

Mr. Norbert A. Kostner, Executive Chef from the Oriental Hotel, and an expert in Italian, Chinese, and Thai cuisine, came up with a variety of special menus for passengers flying on this flight that are in addition to the normally offered menus, during the period 1 May to 30 July 2005.

In Royal Silk Class (executive class), the special menu to be served on this flight features Smoked Salmon Parcel Stuffed with Crab and Caviar Sour Cream, Roasted Lamb Fillet with Bayeldi and Rosemary Pan-Jus, and Chocolate Delight Truffle.

In Premium Economy Class and Economy Class, the first dish in the special menu is Salad of Tender Kenya Beans and Prawns with Tomato Confetti, then the main dish Paupiette of Capon with Tarrangon Sauce, and dessert being Panna Cotta with Apricot Sauce and Cherries.

On the first flight on 14 May 2005, considered the official inaugural flight on the route Bangkok - New York, THAI has invited Executive Chef Mr. Norbert A. Kostner as the Chef-on-Board who will prepare the special meals for passengers.

I thought the inaugural flight flight was going to be on may 1st. did they delay it?

^No... I know the first flight was effectively on the 1st of May, and it went well, with no problems.

Thai Air Q2 Hit By Fuel Costs
May 13, 2005

Thai Airways International posted a 33.6 percent fall in quarterly net profit on Friday as fuel costs and the December 26 tsunami outweighed a foreign exchange gain.

But analysts say the outlook is brighter with double-digit full-year earnings growth as passenger traffic rebounds and new flights bolster revenues, though high fuel prices are a burden.

Thai Air, 20 percent-owned by foreign investors such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, has predicted net profit will rise 60 percent to THB16 billion baht (USD$404.8 million) for the current year to September 30, citing improved passenger traffic.

The majority state-owned carrier saw passenger traffic rebound in March as the country's tourism industry recovered from the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 5,300 people in Thailand and devastated hotels and resorts.

Its passenger load dropped to 70.6 percent in January-March from 73.9 percent a year earlier, but it rose 3 percentage points in March after falling 10 points in January.

Thai Air said net profit fell to THB3.49 billion (USD$88.3 million) in its second quarter to March 31, from a revised THB5.26 billion (USD$133.1 million) a year earlier.

While many of Asia's airlines have seen passenger numbers recovering, earnings outlooks remain hostage to high fuel costs.

On Wednesday, Singapore Airlines reported a 38 percent drop in quarterly net profit, hit by rising jet fuel prices.

Jet fuel accounts for about a fifth of Thai Air's costs but the airline has levied a fuel surcharge on ticket prices to claw back some of those costs.

The airline said its fuel costs rose 22 percent, or THB1.6 billion (USD$40.5 million), in the quarter.

Thai Air also faces higher staff costs due to a review of its salary structure. Staff account for 20 percent of total costs.

The March quarter was hurt by a 1.5 percent drop in revenues from a year earlier, while expenses rose 10.4 percent.

However, the airline had a THB713 million (USD$18 million) foreign exchange gain in its second quarter, against a THB342 million (USD$8.6 million) loss a year earlier.

(Reuters)

..........
fuel hit everyone............

Does anyone knows the seat layout for the future Thai's 340-600's?

This image shows THAI only upgrading their economy class seats on the A380 and not on their older planes (unlike first and business class).
Anybody know what their plans are for economy class on their 747s and 777s?
http://www.thai.to/aircraft/TG_Seat.jpg

Outlook brightens at Thai airline
By Beth Jinks and Catherine Yang Bloomberg News
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2005

BANGKOK Profit at Thai Airways International, Thailand's national carrier, could more than double this year, helped by a recovery in tourism after December's tsunami and by better management of fuel costs, a senior executive said.

Profit might exceed 21 billion baht, or $530 million, for the year ending Sept. 30, Vasing Kittikul, an executive vice president, said in an interview Sunday in New York.

That would compare with 10.08 billion baht last year when net income was cut 16.6 percent by soaring fuel costs and a slump in passenger numbers after the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, in Asia.

The Bangkok-based airline had raised its fuel surcharge by 50 percent and would hedge about half its annual fuel costs, compared with 28 percent in the first six months, Vasing said.

The profit forecast was higher than expected by analysts, who noted that the airline faced rising wages.

"Third-quarter revenue should be good," said Sarit Panjamanong at KGI Securities (Thailand). For the full year, "doubling profit is quite difficult because Thai has to pay for a salary increase" and may lose money on a new route to New York, he said.

Sarit said he expected the company to post a full-year profit before exceptional items of 10.1 billion baht.

Thai Airways relies on tourists from the United States, Europe, Japan, China and South Korea for up to 80 percent of its sales.

The government of Thailand, one of five countries around the Andaman Sea struck by the earthquake-triggered tsunami, has spent 30 billion baht since December rebuilding roads, bridges and resorts to attract tourists to return.

Thai Airways' shares rose to a six-day high of 42.5 baht in Bangkok after Vasing's forecast. The shares have fallen almost 13 percent this year.

Thai Airways was the fourth-biggest decliner this year out of the 14 airline stocks tracked by the Bloomberg Asia-Pacific Airlines index.

The company's second-quarter profit fell 34 percent to 3.49 billion baht, amid surging fuel prices and the tsunami that killed 5,400 people in six coastal Thai provinces. Sales for the three months that ended in March fell 3.4 percent to almost 31 billion baht.

Business Times - 23 May 2005

Munich-bound Thai Airways plane lands safely after scare

KOLKATA, India - A Munich-bound Thai Airways plane with 355 passengers and crew on board made a successful emergency landing at Kolkata airport on Sunday after developing a technical problem, an airport official said.

Gopal Bhattacharya, manager of Kolkata airport, said the flight, Thai Airways 3G924, experienced a drop in cabin pressure after a crack developed in the windshield on the righthand side of the pilot's cabin.

'The Thai Airways plane has landed safely and all the passengers and crew have been evacuated from the aircraft,' Mr Bhattacharya told AFP.

'All the passengers are okay and have been sent to rest up in various city hotels. They will halt in Kolkata tonight (Sunday). Thai Airways will probably make some arrangements on Monday to take the passengers to Munich,' he added.

The Thai Airways flight had taken off early Sunday for Munich from the international airport in the Thai capital of Bangkok.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

New York, New York!
22 May 2005

Gathered in the glass cathedral of the Lincoln Centre, hundreds of guests celebrate THAI's inaugural direct flight to the Big Apple

The spectacular view of Central Park through the glass walls of the Lincoln Centre was the most stunning memory the couple of hundred guests retain of the opening ceremony of THAI's inaugural direct flight to New York on May 16. From the reception hall where a jazz band played to the main stage, Thai culture was brightly reflected here and there in the gorgeous silk evening gowns of the female guests.

Many leading business people and prominent social figures from Thailand were at the party in the Big Apple, having flown the New York Express directly from Bangkok. Their fresh faces showed no sign of jet lag or fatigue, proof that Thai Airways' new long-haul flight is indeed a comfortable mode of travel.

Among the guests were Suthikiat Chirathivat, CEO of the Central Hotel Group; Malai Wuvanich, Bangkok manager of Aman Resorts; Pichitra Boonyarataphan, leading fashion designer; Sompan Charumilinda of UBC; Alan Namchaisiri from Central Department Store Co; Savas Rattakunjara from Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai; Krongkarn Phongsathorn, editor of Puenderntang magazine; and Kamron Pramoj Na Ayutthaya, editor of Image magazine.

THAI staff welcomed each guest with a fresh orchid corsage. Inside the waiting area stood cut-outs displaying THAI connections from NY to other destinations, attracting many flashbulbs from the guests' cameras. Each cut-out featured a dancer dressed in costume to match the destination. For example, a woman in Indian costume danced in front of the cut-out displaying the connection New York-Bangkok-India.

The programme started with speeches from Vasing Kittikul, executive vice president of THAI, and Thai Ambassador to the United States Kasit Piromya, who welcomed the carrier's move in response to the growing ties between the two countries. John Nuvo, of the pop band Nuvo, was emcee for the event, organised by Tinnakorn Asavarak of Kudo.

After the speeches came a performance by dancers from the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Resort.

It was a spectacular show, especially for foreign guests since the dances were adapted from stories featuring all the prominent figures of classic Thai literature: villains, angels, a kinaree (a mythical female creature, half-human half-bird) and princesses from Thailand's North, South, Northeast and Central regions. The guests also enjoyed the moments after the show when a dragon came and mingled with them.

The event wrapped up in an exciting way as THAI held a lucky draw to give away free tickets to four lucky winners - a good tactic to keep the guests' attention until the end of the programme.

All of the guests left the event with smiles on their faces. The four winners who would fly New York Express to various destination courtesy of THAI beamed with even broader smiles all the way home.

Veena Thoopkrajae
The Nation

http://tinypic.com/5eiviq

every thing is new..........
new color.................
font.........
planes.........
flight.............

Two Thai Airways Planes Make Emergency Landings In Week
30 May 2005

BANGKOK (AP)--A Bangkok-bound Thai Airways International (THAI.TH) flight from Beijing was forced to return to the Chinese capital due to an engine problem, the second such emergency landing within a week, a spokeswoman said Monday.

The Boeing 777, carrying 215 passengers, made the unexpected return to Beijing airport about 30 minutes after taking off because of "engine trouble," a spokeswoman for the national airline said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"The pilot decided to turn back after indicators showed that there was a technical problem," she said, adding the pilot followed international procedures in making the decision.

The plane was grounded in Beijing and passengers were transferred to another Thai Airways plane, which arrived in Bangkok Monday morning, she said.

On May 24, a Thai Airways Boeing 747-400, bound for Munich from Bangkok with 330 passengers and a 22-member crew made an emergency landing in Calcutta, India, after pilots reported a crack in a window two hours after departing from Bangkok.

Thai Airways has asked the Seattle-based Boeing Co. (BA) to help determine what caused the crack, she said.

Tuesday May 31, 11:03 PM
Report: Family of Thai Airways pilot killed in 1998 crash sues airline for compensation

AP - Relatives of a Thai Airways pilot who died in a crash seven years ago said Tuesday they are suing the airline for 30 million baht (US$3.2 million; €2.5 million), alleging it failed to safely maintain the aircraft, a report said.

Flight Lt. Pinit Wechsilpa was among 101 people killed when the Airbus A310-200 crashed near the airport in Surat Thani, 530 kilometers (330 miles) south of Bangkok, on Dec. 11, 1998. Forty-five people survived.

Four members of his family filed the suit in the Bangkok Civil Court against the airline and six individuals, including past and present airline executives, said the plaintiffs' lawyer.

Rujira Bunnag, the family's lawyer, was quoted by the state Thai News Agency as saying that those sued included the airline's current top executive, Kanok Apiradee, and its chief at the time of the crash, Thammanoon Wanglee.

No comment was immediately available from the airline or any of the individuals named.

Rujira was quoted as saying that the lawsuit was an attempt to make Thai Airways realize the importance of having safety measures meet acceptable standards so as to prevent the future loss of property and lives of passengers and crew members.

The government has never publicized any findings it may have made about the cause of the crash.

The flight from Bangkok crashed in a swamp when making its third approach after two aborted landing attempts in heavy evening rain. In addition to Thai passengers, citizens of the United States, Austria, Britain, Finland, Germany, Japan and Norway also died in the crash.

Ventilation Problem Forces Thai Airways Emergency Landing
02 June 2005

BANGKOK (AP)--A Bangkok-bound Thai Airways jet made an emergency landing at a Swiss airport because of a ventilation system problem, the airline said Thursday, its third such incident in two weeks.

The aircraft was forced to return to Zurich on Wednesday because of a ventilation system problem, said Wasin Kittikul, Thai Airways International's (THAI.TH) deputy director.

He said the plane had been fixed and later departed for the Thai capital.

On Sunday, a Thai Airways flight from Beijing to Bangkok was forced to return to the Chinese capital because of an engine problem.

On May 24, a Thai Airways Boeing 747-400 bound for Munich from Bangkok made an emergency landing in Calcutta, India, after pilots reported a crack in a window. Thai Airways has asked the Seattle-based Boeing Co. to help determine what caused the crack, she said.

-Edited by Lena Lee

Corrected June 2, 2005 02:28 ET (06:28 GMT) [ 02-06-05 0447GMT ]

On Sunday, a Thai Airways flight from Beijing to Bangkok was forced to return to the Chinese capital because of an engine problem.

("Ventilation Problem Forces Thai Airways Emergency Landing," published at 0447 GMT, misstated the day of the Beijing-to-Bangkok flight.)

so many emergency landing.............

Problem-Plagued Thai Airways Grounds Jet With Faulty Door
3 June 2005

BANGKOK (AP)--Thai Airways (THAI.TH), whose international flights have made three emergency landings in the past two weeks because of technical problems, announced Friday that another of its aircraft was forced to cancel its takeoff because of an air leak in one of its doors.

Technicians from the airline checking the Boeing 747-400 aircraft to be flown on Flight TG960 from Bangkok to Stockholm early Friday morning discovered air audibly leaking into the plane through one of the cabin doors, caused by a faulty seal, the airline said in a statement.

The aircraft was grounded to replace parts and be checked again, with another aircraft used seven hours later to complete the flight, it said.

On Wednesday, a Thai Airways flight from Zurich to Bangkok turned back after the pilot found that the instrument that measures air pressure and other flight status information wasn't working properly. It took off again after repairs were made.

On Sunday, a flight from Beijing to Bangkok was forced to return to the Chinese capital because of an engine problem, and on May 24, a Thai jetliner bound for Munich from Bangkok made an emergency landing in Calcutta, India, after pilots reported a crack in a window.

Thai Airways April passenger load dips from March

BANGKOK, June 3 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL said on Friday it filled 71.6 percent of its seats in April, down from April and the same period a year earlier.

The 54 percent state-owned carrier, which is hoping for a recovery in passenger traffic after the Dec. 26 tsunami while facing high fuel prices, said in a statement it filled 71.9 percent of its seats in March and 72 percent in April 2004.

It filled 67.7 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in April, down from 68.7 percent in March and 66 percent in the same period last year, it said.

The airline carried 1.47 million passengers in April this year, down from 1.54 million in March and 1.64 million in April 2004, it said.

The airline said it carried 10.8 million passengers and filled 72.1 percent of its seats in the first 7 months of its current financial year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

That compared with 11.8 million passengers and a 73.4 percent passenger load in the same period a year earlier, it said.

Major rival Singapore Airlines said it filled 65.8 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in April, down from 66.3 percent a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said its April passenger traffic rose 10.7 percent from a year earlier to 1.21 million.

At 0825 GMT, Thai Airways shares were up 0.6 percent at 44.75 baht, while the overall stock market <.SETI> was up 0.8 percent.

THAI takes a look at smoother schedules
3 June 2005
The Nation

Thai Airways International has hired specialists from Star Alliance to study its global flight connections and propose improvements as it gears up to make Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport a regional hub.

Doosdee Smuthkochorn, THAI's vice president for alliance, said yesterday the team from the alliance of international airlines had been studying the issue for a month and was expected to deliver its findings around October.

He did not reveal how much THAI was spending on the study, but said he was confident the results would not only improve the company's revenues, but also help the new airport become the transit "hub of Asia".

"The study will reveal what flight schedules we should adjust to make all flights run continuously and smoothly," he said. "Singapore and Malaysia have done it before and they are now centres of flight connectivity. Geographically, Thailand is better placed than Singapore, with more places to visit. So why can't we do it?"

Although THAI expects to see clear results from the study by October, efforts to improve connectivity would never be completed because flights are regularly changed, Doosdee said. However, THAI is starting from the ground up and will try to continue examining its flight connections in order to attract as many customers as possible.

"A hub is supposed to be a centre that provides convenience for customers in making flight connections," he said. "So far, we haven't done it well, but from now on we'll focus on it more."

Doosdee said the initial study would involve the global connectivity of THAI's flights only. "By the time the Suvarnabhumi Airport is completed, the study will be finished. Then, the next step is to expand it to cover our flight connectivity with our allies in Star Alliance."

Doosdee would not comment on delays in the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, but said that when it starts operations, THAI would prefer that all airlines use it, whether or not they are discount outfits. Some have proposed that the current airport, Don Muang Airport, be used for discount airlines once Suvarnabhumi is built.

"We prefer a single airport," he said. "After the new airport is completed, Don Muang can be an aircraft training centre or an exhibition hall like BITEC, but it's not good to have two airports. It's common practice in any country around the world that a new airport replaces an old one, for the sake of convenience. Having two airports would result in higher costs."

Piyarat Setthasiriphaiboon

THAI's air data control system acted up in Zurich
5 June 2005
The Nation

Thai Airways International Plc yesterday provided clarification on an incident involving a flight that was forced to dump fuel and return to the airport in Switzerland on Wednesday.

Flight TG971, carrying 169 passengers, had departed Zurich for Bangkok, but while in flight the chief pilot found the central air data control system was malfunctioning. The system measures air pressure and height during the flight.

The malfunction required the aircraft to return to Zurich airport for repairs. To land safely it was necessary to dump a quantity of jet fuel (reportedly 45 tonnes), because the aircraft was too heavy to land.

Once back on terra firma, the CADC system was repaired and the aircraft departed at 8.40pm (local time) on June 1, and arrived in Bangkok at 12.42pm Thursday.

The airline also clarified another incident involving a Boeing 777-300 aircraft on May 29. Flight TG615 departed Beijing airport at 5.25pm (local time) and was scheduled to arrive in Bangkok at 9.10pm

Thirty minutes into the flight, the chief pilot observed oil-pressure problems and returned to Beijing airport.

There were 218 passengers and 22 crew on board who were accommodated overnight at a hotel. On May 30, THAI arranged for the passengers to travel to Bangkok on flight TG675, departing Beijing at 9.05am (local time) with and arriving in Bangkok at 12.50 (local time).

An inspection of the aircraft by company technicians confirmed that the oil pressure was low.

THAI shipped new equipment from Bangkok and fitted it to the aircraft. After technicians carried out a systems check, the aircraft was cleared to return to Bangkok on May 30 at 12.05am.

The company is conducting further investigations in cooperation with Rolls Royce to ascertain the cause of the malfunction.

The airline also referred to a case concerning the family of Flight Lieutenant Pinit Vetchsilp, a former pilot. His relatives have filed a lawsuit against THAI concerning the crash of flight TG261 in Surat Thani on December 11, 1998, based on information that the crash was due to company error over aircraft maintenance.

In an initial statement, the airline said it has not received a subpoena, a summons, or a copy of the lawsuit, contrary to news reports.

Whenever the documents are received, the company's legal department will consider the details of the lawsuit and respond accordingly, THAI said.

Thai Airways signs code share agreement with Air Madagascar

BANGKOK, June 6 (AFP) - Flagship carrier Thai Airways International has signed a code share agreement with Air Madagascar to boost ties between the two airlines and countries, Thai officials said on Monday.

The agreement was signed to celebrate the first anniversary of Air Madagascar's direct flights to Bangkok.

It means the Thai foreign ministry will open an outpost in the southern Indian Ocean nation's capital of Antananarivo to issue visas, said Thai Airway's executive vice president of the commercial department, Vasing Kittikul.

Thai Airways will also help Air Madagascar with passenger handling, ramp, cargo and flight operations, and some parts of aircraft servicing, the Thai Airways statement said.

Air Madagascar presently operates two direct flights per week to Bangkok.

It was not immediately clear if Thai Airways aircraft would be used on the route, or when the code share would come into effect.

Thursday June 9, 10:28 AM
THAI PRESS:Thai Airways Scraps Cargo JV Due To Union Pact

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--National carrier Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) has scrapped its plan to set up an air freight joint venture due to an old agreement with its labor union, Bangkok Post reports.

Ten years ago, Thai Airways' management signed an agreement with the union, prohibiting the airline from allowing outsiders to carry out any business that Thai Airways' employees might do, the paper says citing the airline's President Kanok Abhiradee.

The joint-venture plan, conceived two years ago, called for Thai Airways to hold a 49% stake in a new logistics firm with existing players in the international logistics service industry. The venture was originally planned to be up and running in the second quarter of this year.

Thai Airways now is seeking other means within its existing corporate structure to expand its freight and mail businesses, including leasing cargo airplanes, the report says.

Newspaper Web site: www.bangkokpost.com

del

Business Times - 28 Jun 2005

Thai Airways, Air New Zealand agree on code-share pact

BANGKOK - Thai Airways International and Air New Zealand will begin reciprocal code-share flights from July 1, the airlines said on Tuesday.

The agreement will see Air New Zealand code-share on Thai services between Bangkok and Asian destinations Singapore and Phuket, and between Bangkok and European cities Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Rome and Stockholm.

'The code-share agreement enables Air New Zealand to market Bangkok as a gateway to various destinations in addition to our own existing Asian gateways of Singapore and Hong Kong,' Norm Thompson, Air New Zealand Group general manager for marketing, said in a statement.

Thai Airways will also code-share on Air New Zealand's various domestic and trans-Tasman Sea services between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane in Australia.

Thai Airways executive vice-president Vasing Kittikul hailed the agreement as an opportunity for the carrier 'to expand into Wellington and Christchurch, which is a new prospective market for THAI'.

Thai Airways now serves more than 72 destinations in 33 countries, while Air New Zealand serves 47 destinations in 14 countries, the statement said.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

huge difference.............
72 and 47...........

Thai Airways International to implement additional Fuel Surcharge on Domestic Routes
29 June 2005


Thai Airways International has confirmed it is to implement an additional fuel surcharge on domestic flights from 1 July 2005.

The surcharge will be implemented on all domestic flights at 200 Baht (one-sector flights) and 400 Baht (round-trip flights) per flight coupon.

As for THAI’s international flights, the fuel surcharge remains unchanged, as follows:

- On flights in the Asian region and Middle East region at US$15 or approximately 600 Baht per flight coupon.
- On intercontinental flights, including Australia and New Zealand at US$25 or 1,000 Baht per flight coupon.

Thai Airways Loads Decline In May
June 29, 2005

Thai Airways International said on Wednesday it filled 63.3 percent of its seats in May, down from April and the same period a year earlier.

The 54 percent state-owned carrier said in a statement it filled 71.6 percent of its seats in April and 64.7 percent in May 2004.

The airline, facing high fuel prices and a slowdown in the tourism industry following the December 26 tsunami, filled 60.8 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in May, down from 67.7 percent in April and 61.9 percent in the same period last year.

It carried 1.37 million passengers in May this year, down from 1.47 million in April and 1.474 million in May 2004, it said.

The airline said it carried 12.19 million passengers and filled 70.9 percent of its seats in the first 8 months of its current financial year, which runs from October 1 to September 30.

That compared with 13.29 million passengers and a 72.3 percent passenger load in the same period a year earlier, it said.

Major rival Singapore Airlines said it filled 62.8 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in May, down from 65.7 percent a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said its April passenger traffic rose 15.6 percent from a year earlier to 1.23 million.

(Reuters)

MOSCOW AIRPORT: Modern facilities lure THAI
5 July 2005
The Nation

Local carrier one of many to choose Domodedovo

Equipped with a full range of modern terminal facilities, Moscow's partially-privatised Domodedovo International Airport is campaigning aggressively to attract air traffic that will create business links between Russia and the rest of the world.

Among international carriers, Thai Airways International (THAI) is expected to use Domodedovo for its new direct long-haul service from Bangkok to Moscow, which will be inaugurated soon.

Sergey Tanashchuk, press secretary for East Line Group, the operator of Domodedovo, said THAI was one of the international airlines the company had convinced to use its airport.

"This is the right time to come," he said.

THAI will join 13 international airlines, 16 CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) airlines and 31 Russian airlines currently flying to and from Domodedovo.

Tanashchuk said his company was talking with any airline interested in opening routes to Moscow. From elsewhere in Asia, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese airlines are already using the airport, and it expects another three international carriers before the end of the year.

The president of the Russian Union of the Travel Industry, Sergey Shpilko, said his organisation had been working with Thai tourism agencies to learn more about Thailand as a tourist destination.

He said the number of Russian tourists travelling to Thailand dropped steeply from 81,000 in the first quarter of last year to 29,000 in the corresponding period this year.

"Concerns over security in Thailand was the main reason," Shpilko said. "Global prices for tourism packages were also on the rise."

However, he said, the number of Thai tourists visiting Russia had not changed. He added that Asian tourists came mostly from China, Japan, and South Korea.

Shpilko said Russia received 2.9 million tourists in 2004, and revenue from the visitors amounted to US$4.8 billion (Bt200 billion). It was an attractive destination to many tourists because it was an unknown country, but it still faced a shortage of hotel rooms.

Domodedovo International Airport is regarded as Russia's leading airport, and is No-3 in Eastern Europe in terms of overall traffic services. It recorded 12 million passengers in 2004, a 30-per-cent increase over 2003.

It is one of three airports serving Moscow, and has a 40-per-cent share of the overall traffic volume to and from the Russian capital. The other two airports are Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo.

East Line's Tanashchuk said the company expected Domodedovo's traffic volume this year to reach 13.3 million passengers, pushing its market share up to 45 per cent.

The East Line Group, which began as an air-cargo forwarder, holds a 75-year lease-and-management contract to develop parts of the airport's facilities, including the passenger terminal, hotel and parking lots. The airport's runways and equipment still belong to the government, Tanashchuk said.

Before 1998, Domodedovo's passenger terminal had no such services as cafes and shops.

Now, East Line has 11 subsidiaries providing a full range of airport services, with a combined staff of more than 10,000 people.

After being refurbished and modernised in 2002, Domodedovo features more than 100,000 square metres of terminal area, with a passenger capacity of 9,000 people per hour on domestic and international routes. The departure lounge has 83 automated check-in desks.

The terminal was designed so both domestic and international passengers use the same floor, providing convenience for transfers between domestic and international services.

It boasts a modern commercial centre offering a wide range of goods and services as well as a mother-and-child room, a movie theatre and duty-free areas for international travellers.

The terminal also has 22 air bridges, some of which are capable of taking Boeing-747s and giant Airbus A380s. It is also the first airport passenger terminal in Russia to receive ISO 9001:2000 certification.

Domodedovo also offers an unusual service. Passengers can check in for both domestic and international flights in the centre of Moscow and be whisked to the airport by high-speed train. The service includes luggage handling.

Domodedovo also holds top ranking in terms of domestic and international air-cargo handling. Its cargo terminal operates 24 hours a day with an average handling capacity of 1,000 tons of cargo per day or 20,000 tons per month. Storage facilities cater for valuable and dangerous goods as well as for live animals.

Tanashchuk said Domodedovo would expand its facilities next year, increasing the number of check-in counters to 124.

Long-term development plans involve construction of a shopping and entertainment plaza containing movie theatres, bowling and fitness centres, shopping areas and a centre for elderly people as well as more space for children and expanded parking lots, he said. Last year, Domodedovo recorded revenues of $600 million and this year's results are expected to be similar. Forty per cent of total revenue comes from passenger services and the rest from chartered airlines and cargo flights.

Sasithorn Ongdee

THAI ready to increase flights to London if necessary

Published on July 08, 2005

Thai Airways is ready to increase flights to London if large numbers of Thai nationals wish to leave London after Thursday's bomb blasts, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday.

There are some Thai students wanting to come back, and I have instructed the foreign ministry to check on the bookings. If existing flights are
overbooked, then I will order Thai Airways to add special flights," Thaksin added.

Thaksin's wife was in London Thursday to send off one of their children to university there. They were unhurt when attackers bombed the London's subway and a bus, killing at least 37 people.

"My wife and child are checking on return flights. I have to reconsider my child's plans to enter university as the school term has not yet started,"
Thaksin said.

Thaksin confirmed that there were no known Thai casualties from the attacks in central London, where more than 10,000 Thais are believed to live.

^:no:

THAI in talks over delivery of A380s
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

http://www.bangkokpost.net/Business/110705_bus02.gif

Thai Airways International has opened negotiations with Airbus on rescheduling the delivery of six A380 super-jumbo airliners, plus compensation for the airline caused by the delay in testing and certifying the world's largest commercial airplane.

The national carrier reckoned that the delivery dates for the airliners, which were originally due to join the THAI fleet starting in 2008, would be shifted to sometime in fiscal years 2009 and 2010, with three aircraft for each year.

Airbus has told executives of THAI and 15 other A380 buyers that the delay will be in the range of two to six months ''depending on the case'', according to Anthony Phillips, regional communications representative for Airbus.

Behind schedule: An A380 in the THAI colours
Airbus executives also indicated that deliveries would be made in the original customer sequence, with the same time differentials.

Airbus had hoped the A380 test-flight programme, which takes more than a year, would be finished shortly before the scheduled delivery of the first plane to Singapore Airlines (SIA) in mid-2006. The first successful flight took place over the Pyrenees mountains last April 27.

But the delay means that the A380s will not begin commercial service for SIA until the second half of next year, Mr Phillips said in Bangkok.

Airbus has received 159 orders and commitments for the 308-tonne A380s, of which 132 are in the passenger configuration known as A380-800, and the other 27 are freighters, designated A380-800F. The list price for an A380 passenger version is $290 million _ 12.2 billion baht.

THAI has not disclosed details of its compensation claim.

However, a THAI source said management partly welcomed the delay as it would give the carrier more breathing time to build up traffic to absorb the large increase in capacity provided by the superjumbos.

It would also help THAI defer financial obligations arising from taking delivery of the A380s.

The expected slowdown in the world economy caused by the oil price spike could limit growth in global air traffic in general and arrivals to Thailand, where the tourism industry has yet to recover from the effects of the Dec 26 tsunami.

A double-decker A380, which can carry up to 555 passengers and fly up to 15,000 km (8,000 nautical miles) non-stop, will be used mostly for high-density, long-haul routes. THAI plans to use the airplane for its Bangkok-London and Bangkok-Frankfurt routes, for example.

The delayed delivery of the A380s could hamper THAI's effort to boost its image as an equal in equipment of rivals SIA and Emirates.

One source indicated that THAI might seek discounts or some ''add-ons'' to the aircraft as a form of compensation.

Qantas, which ordered 12 A380s, said it wanted compensation under the terms of its contract with Airbus.

Sources at THAI talked about possible further rescheduling of deliveries of other new aircraft in the future if global traffic fails to grow at projected rates because of the worldwide economic slowdown.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that global passenger traffic in the first five months of this year grew 8.7%, while freight traffic expanded even more slowly at 3.1%.

http://www.bangkokpost.net/Business/110705_bus01.jpg

Wednesday July 13, 11:53 AM
Thai Airways Plans To Raise Fuel Surcharge On Intl Routes

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) plans to increase its fuel surcharge on international flights next month to cope with steady rises in fuel costs, an official said Wednesday.

After the increase, the surcharge for its Asia and the Middle East flights will be raised by $5 per flight coupon to $15, while the surcharge on flights to other destinations will rise by $10 per flight coupon to $35.

However, the planned surcharge increase is still pending approval from the state's Department of Aviation, the official said.

Since July 1, the national carrier has added a fuel surcharge of THB200 a ticket on domestic flights, up from THB100 previously.

Thai Airways raises fuel surcharges, citing high oil prices

BANGKOK, July 14 (AFP) - Thai Airways said Thursday it will raise its fuel surcharge on all international flights by up to 10 dollars next month due to higher global oil prices.

The new surcharge for all tickets issued from August 1 would be 20 dollars a ticket for all flights in the Asian and Middle Eastern regions, up from 15 dollars, Thai Airways president Kanok Abhiradee said.

Flights on intercontinental routes, including Australia and New Zealand, would rise to 35 dollars a ticket from 25 dollars, he said in a statement.

The airline raised its surcharge for domestic flights from July 1 by 400 baht (9.56 dollars) for return trip flights but froze it for international flights, which were last increased in June 14, 2004.

Oil prices dropped below 60 dollars a barrel in Asian trade on Thursday.

The airline said further surcharge increases may occur if world oil prices rise, adding if the cost of fuel "returns to normal, Thai will consider suspending the fuel surcharge."

THAI aims to cut 10% off expenses
Tuesday, 19 July 2005


Thai Airways International will try to cut costs and raise revenue by 10% each over the next year, part of the national airline's response to fierce competition and rising costs, particularly of its jet fuel.

THAI president Kanok Abhiradee said senior executives of the national carrier will meet next week to consider areas for cost reduction.

He said the airline intends to cut global distribution system costs by 500 million baht, introduce e-auctions to save 250 million baht on procurement and cut back on over-catering and excess inflight meals, which would save 100 million baht.

The company has also provided a ''golden handshake'' early retirement programme to 540 employees, and now has 25,000 workers.

Speaking at a leadership conference yesterday, Mr Kanok said the airline's strategy was to become ''the first choice carrier with touches of Thai'', repositioning itself as a ''premium leisure airline'' with medium pricing, full passenger service and full network service.

Despite a spate of accidents involving THAI aircraft earlier this year, the president insisted the safety record, on any global industry scale, remains good. He noted that some of the incidents, such as a cracked windshield, were nothing unusual.

Shares of THAI closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 41 baht, up 25 satang, in trade worth 48.8 million baht.

Thai Airways International organizes Beach Queen Thailand 2005 to help Revive Southern Tourism
19 July 2005


Because of the decrease in the number of tourists to South West Thailand, following the Tsunami in December 2004, combined with the low season period, Thai Airways International has been appointed by the Thai government to be one of the leading organizations in helping to revive tourism to the Andaman Sea area of Thailand.

Consequently, THAI has initiated the Beach Queen Thailand 2005 Contest, which will be held from July to October 2005 in Krabi and Phuket provinces and will be organized annually in order to help strengthen tourism and revive the Southern Andaman Sea areas of Thailand. In addition, the activities will support the "Sanook Tang Koh, Lod Tang Muang" promotional campaign which THAI organized together with the Tourism Authority to Thailand and hotel operators in Phuket, Krabi, Phang-Nga and Trang provinces.

The Beach Queen Thailand 2005 campaign will be the first in Thailand to provide an opportunity for young females from all over the world, aged between 18-25, to participate in the contest. The contest will be held in two rounds, the first being a contest for the final 30 Thai females which will be held in Krabi province. The winner and 1st runner-up of this contest will join the contest with young international females in the final round, to be held on October 1, 2005 at Pathong Beach, Krabi province.

The selection of overseas contestants will be conducted through THAI's offices in each destination. In addition to the contest, the participants will be involved in other activities such as a parade along the beach, exhibition and street performances by leading international bands.

"All contestants will be able to witness the beauty and nature of the beaches along the Andaman Sea and join activities to save the environment as well as encourage overseas tourists to return to Thailand. The young women will have a wonderful time with the activities and we will be able to see many beautiful ladies from all over the world joining our contest", said Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President.

The winner of the contest will receive a cash prize of US$10,000 (THB 400,000) and a diamond crown together with a first class round trip ticket with first class accommodation from the original destination to Phuket or Krabi. The 1st runner-up will receive a cash prize of US$5,000 (THB 200,000) and a Business Class round trip ticket from the original destination to Phuket or Krabi. The 2nd runner-up will receive a cash prize of US$2,500 (THB 100,000) and an Economy Class round trip ticket from the original destination to Phuket or Krabi. In addition, the winner will be appointed the Beauty Ambassador of the Andaman. Also, the first 10 runner-ups of the contest will be given the opportunity to work with THAI for 1 year.

Applications to enter the contest are open from 20 July - 31 August 2005.

Thai Airways Passenger Load Dips In June
July 28, 2005

Thai Airways said on Thursday it filled 67.1 percent of its seats in June, down from same period a year earlier but up from May.

The 54 percent state-owned carrier said in a statement it filled 67.4 percent of its seats in June 2004 and 63.3 percent in May this year.

The airline, dealing with both high fuel prices and a tourist industry hurt significantly by the December 26 tsunami, said it carried 1.36 million passengers in June, down from 1.46 million in June 2004 and 1.37 million in May this year, it said.

It carried 13.55 million passengers and filled 70.5 percent of its seats in the first 9 months of its current financial year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, the statement said.

That compared with 14.75 million passengers and a 71.7 percent passenger load in the same period a year earlier, it said.

Thai Airways said it filled 64.1 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in June, compared with 63.8 percent a year earlier and 60.8 percent in the previous month.

Rival Singapore Airlines said it filled 66.6 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in June, down from 70.4 percent a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said it carried 1.26 million passengers in June, a 10.1 percent rise from a year earlier.

(Reuters)

Thai Airways lays groundwork to tap growing African markets

The launch of Thai Airways International's flights to Johannesburg on Dec 3 will further boost the role of Bangkok as an Asian hub for contacts with Africa, set to be a major growth area of the future.

THAI will be using its long-range A340-600 operating three flights a week under a code-share with South African Airways (SAA).

This will mark the resumption of direct aviation contacts between Thailand and South Africa since the suspension of the SAA flights several years ago, which were also code-shared with Thai Airways but used SAA equipment.

Thai Airways is projecting load factors of 75% in the early period, comprising of 65% point-to-point traffic and 35% connecting traffic from China, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.

Traffic between these points and South Africa is currently being flown by Thai Airways' competing airlines via Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

The fact that Thais and South Africans both get reciprocal visa-free privileges is expected to be a big boost for tourist and business traffic.

Thai Airways will code-share with SAA on internal South African sectors such as Durban and Cape Town as well as to southern African countries like Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. There are plans to launch strong promotions and also include Southern Africa in the airline's in-house tour packages.

In recent years, Bangkok has attracted growing interest from airlines from sub-Saharan Africa. It is now served by Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Air Madagascar.

The Aviation Department had been notified of plans by Air Zimbabwe to start flights in August 2005 but these were postponed until further notice due to the complications posed by higher oil prices.

This interest is primarily due to Bangkok's geographical advantage as a transit point en route to China, the ultimate destination being targeted by African carriers.

As of summer 2005, Thailand had bilateral aviation agreements with Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Another agreement with Togo is due to be signed in 2005.

All are open-sky agreements that allow airlines of the two countries to fly unlimited frequencies using any equipment on third- and fourth-freedom sectors.

They also let the African airlines seek beyond rights from Bangkok to Chinese points. Aviation authorities are mindful of the upcoming cash-flow requirements of Suvarnabhumi airport, which will need all the airline customers it can get.

The Aviation Department realises that the African airlines may overfly Bangkok if they don't get the China rights, and can alternately fly there via India or Dubai.

Thai Airways is closely monitoring the situation to assess the impact on its own flights between Bangkok and China. At present, this impact is negligible because of differences in product and frequency.

Aviation Department officials say they co-ordinate closely with the Thai Commerce Ministry which is taking the lead in identifying potential business opportunities in Africa in order to sign broader economic free trade agreements with African countries. The aviation agreements are dovetailed into these wider agreements.

At the moment, the most important problem is visas.

Before 9/11, more than 30 African countries could get visas on arrival for Thailand. This regulation was revised for ``security reasons'' and, as of December 2002, visa on arrival privileges were cancelled for nearly all the African countries.

Now, only South African passport holders get a 30-day visa free and Mauritius citizens get visa on arrival.

Statistics presented at the Tourism Authority of Thailand marketing plan meeting this month showed that this led to large declines in arrivals in 2003 from African countries like Ghana, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and Togo.

The fact that there are Thai embassies only in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya), Pretoria (South Africa) and Cairo (Egypt) adds to the complication.

Regional destinations including Malaysia and Singapore have been more selective in their visa policies, steering clear of a blanket ruling affecting nearly all the African countries in favour of only those perceived as a threat.

As a result, many traders from Africa also diverted their bulk-purchasing business to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Trader traffic comprises a large percentage of African arrivals to Thailand. They bulk-buy huge volumes of consumer products like bags, toys, garments, gemstones, electronics, even second-hand mobile phones and fake watches.

Traders come in via Kenya and Ethiopia from many parts of East and Central Africa.

They operate on a cash-and-carry basis. This means paying huge amounts in excess baggage, often leading to flight delays as check-in staff at the airline counters at Bangkok airport go crazy over the bargaining that ensues.

Although this trade goes into the millions of dollars, the fact that it does not pass through the usual customs channels means that it does not get factored into the national trade statistics.

Imtiaz Muqbil is executive editor of Travel Impact Newswire, an e-mailed feature and analysis service focusing on the Asia-Pacific travel industry.

Previous story

Both Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines stop in Bangkok en route to Hong Kong. Many Middle Eastern airlines flying the HK-Gulf routes also stop in Bangkok.

Thai Airways International offers Discounted Fares to Andaman Areas for Government and Private Sector Conferences
1 August 2005


Thai Airways International along with the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, Tourism Council of Thailand, and the Office of Conference and Exhibition Promotion Commission, is offering special fares for units under the government and private sector in order to boost tourism and the economy in Phuket and nearby provinces.

The special fare features discounted air travel in Economy and Business Class, at 50 percent discount from the normal fare on the routes Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Krabi, and Bangkok-Trang, applicable for members of the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission and the Tourism Council of Thailand, with the following restrictions:

- For travel originating from Bangkok, from Monday to Friday only.
- For travel effective until 31 October 2005 only.
- Excluding airport tax, insurance and fuel surcharge.

- For travel originating from North and Northeast Thailand, passengers will be charged an additional THB 2,000 baht per person (excluding airport tax, insurance and fuel surcharge).

- Departing flights must be conducted as a group party, but returning flights may be conducted individually or separately with the requirement that reservations and ticket issuance must be made as a group in advance.

- Any change or alteration to flight plans will be charged a fee of THB 500 baht for each time that a change is made.

- After tickets are issued, the passenger's name on the ticket may not be changed and is non-refundable.

In addition, THAI's Eurng Luang Tours are also offering a Phuket Meeting and Incentive Package for units that arrange a seminar with the attendance of at least 20 people, with conferences organized at 3 days, 2 nights and 4 days, 3 nights, with cost per package including breakfast, conference arrangements at 1 or 2 days, land transportation from airport-to-hotel and back, but not including air tickets.

Thai Airways International publishes New Inflight Duty Free Catalogue with Home Delivery Service
3 August 2005


Thai Airways International has published a new and improved Inflight Duty Free Catalogue, featuring the latest duty free merchandises for passengers traveling on THAI's international flights.

This new Inflight Duty Free Catalogue includes a change in products offered and a new list of more duty free products for passengers to choose from. Newly introduced duty free merchandise comprises international brand name products, including perfumes, cosmetics, purses, watches, pens, jewelry, toys, chocolate, imported alcohol, Thai Airways International souvenirs, and products from the Royal Projects.

The new Inflight Duty Free Catalogue includes an home delivery service for all passengers who have postal addresses in Japan or Thailand.

THAI's President receives 2005 Skytrax 'World Airline Leadership Award'
5 August 2005


Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, Thai Airways International's President, has been named the winner of the 2005 Skytrax "World Airline Leadership Award."

With regards to Mr. Abhiradee's nomination and award of this year's Skytrax "World Airline Leadership Award," Skytrax said "We examined many different factors within the selection process and looked for the airline President or CEO who has achieved change and improvement through true hands-on leadership. THAI is undergoing a real metamorphosis in terms of quality change, and this is much more than just cosmetic improvement."

Furthermore, Skytrax added "Whist THAI is completing a corporate makeover and introducing new products across all cabins, this has to be allied to a new attitude amongst the whole THAI workforce - a fresh, invigorated and customer orientated style that THAI is famous for. It is quite clear that Mr. Abhiradee is leading and encouraging these changes by personal example, and we are delighted to honor him with the 2005 World Airline Leadership Award."

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee was appointed as President of Thai Airways International in May 2002, when the world airline industry was recovering from the impact of 9/11. After he was appointed as THAI's President, Mr. Abhiradee guided the company through the SARS public health crisis that affected the airline industry as well as the Asian Tsunami that affected travel to parts of Southern Thailand.

Thai Airways may miss 04/05 revenue growth target

BANGKOK, Aug 8 (Reuters) - National carrier Thai Airways International PCL said on Monday it may miss its target of a 5 percent growth in revenues for its 2004/2005 financial year due to soaring oil prices.

"Our revenue growth may be less than the target of 5 percent because of unusual increases in oil prices," airline president Kanok Abhiradee told reporters.

The airline's financial year runs from October to September.

Thai Airways to revise 2005 sales target, plans cost cuts
Dow Jones
Thai Airways International Plc, the nation’s biggest airline, said it will unveil a cost-cutting plan tomorrow that may include delaying its investments, as its 2005 sales target becomes unreachable.
“We are facing a mega-crisis which calls for decisive action,” the airline’s President Kanok Abhiradee said. “This year we’re facing many problems and we need to revise” Thai Air’s annual sales growth target of 5 percent, he said, without providing a new forecast.
A meeting of all senior managers has been called today to decide on measures to cut costs, improve efficiency, boost sales and delay spending, he said. The airline may consider imposing fuel surcharges which are “more flexible” to help it react to rising costs of jet fuel, he said.
The airline’s fuel bill soared 52 percent in the first nine months of its fiscal year to 38 billion baht ($923 million), from 25 billion baht a year earlier, Kanok said. Thai Air’s total fuel bill in fiscal 2004 was 32 billion baht.
Thai Air may report its worst loss in five years in the third quarter ended June, Tisco Research Co’s analyst Petcharat Arayanimitsakul said. The airline must report its third-quarter result by August 15.
Last month, Thai Air raised its fuel surcharges on inter-continental flights to Europe, North America and Australia to $35 a passenger, and $20 for routes within Asia. The price of jet fuel has surged more than 50 percent this year, hitting a record $76.38 a barrel on April 4.

AUG. 10 11:14 P.M. ET

The president of Thailand's national carrier has been suspended from active duty for three months following "huge losses" by the airline, a minister said Thursday.

President Kanok Abhiradee is to be replaced by a committee headed by an interim chief which will try to brainstorm its way out of what Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal described as a "crisis" for state-run Thai Airways International.

Declining to state the figure, the airlines board chairman Wanchai Sarathunthat said Thai suffered a massive loss as oil prices soared during the company's third quarter, between April and June. The airline saw its profits drop following the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster after posting a profit of about 8 billion baht (US$200 million; euro160 million) in the first quarter, which began Oct. 1 last year.


The second quarter result was a profit of about 5 billion baht (US$125 million; euro100 million).

"The report shows that the airline is facing a crisis of huge loss. This crisis is beyond the ability of one man to handle," Pongsak told reporters. He said the new committee will be chaired by Somchaineuk Engtrakul, a former senior official of the Finance Ministry.

The committee is to also investigate what factors besides the tsunami and oil prices may have led to the loss at a time when passenger loads on other airlines were increasing relative to Thai's. Possible internal conflict and financial and marketing mismanagement will be probed, he said.

Thai Air May Delay Aircraft Purchase After Losses
August 11, 2005

Thai Airways International is considering postponing the acquisition of two new Airbus A340 aircraft to next year after heavy losses, board member Borwornsak Uwanno said.

A postponement would help ease pressure on the country's current account and trade deficits, Borwornsak said late on Wednesday.

"The board has not yet made a decision on the issue," Borwornsak said without elaboration.

The A340-600 aircraft were due to be delivered in November and December, an airline official said.

The government is trying to curb oil-inflated import bills and boost exports after running trade and current account deficits for the first time since Asia's 1997/1998 economic crisis.

The airline board also decided to suspend president Kanok Abhiradee for three months because the airline was losing money heavily, Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpisal told reporters.

It was expected to post a big loss of about THB7 billion baht (USD$171 million) in its third quarter ending June and the board had appointed director Somchainuk Engtrakul as head of a committee to manage the airline, Pongsak said.

The airline is due to report its financial results on Monday.

Chairman Wanchai Sarathulthat said on Thursday he expected the airline to boost net profit to more than THB3 billion (USD$73.4 million) in the quarter ending September, but that it would miss its profit target for its current fiscal year.

High fuel costs were largely to blame for the airline missing its THB14 billion (USD$342 million) profit target, which was projected before the December 26 Indian Ocean tsunami, Wanchai told reporters.

(Reuters)

Tuesday August 16, 7:57 AM
Thai Airways Intl 3Q FY'05 THB4.78B Loss Cut By Reversal
(This article was originally published Monday.)

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) Monday reported a net loss for the fiscal third quarter of THB4.78 billion, widening from THB913.1 million in the same period last year, due to a surge in jet fuel costs, higher staff expenses and foreign-exchange losses.

The state-owned national carrier avoided reporting even bigger losses by reversing THB2.08 billion of interim income-tax payments it had made on earnings in the first half of the fiscal year, according to financial statements filed with the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Without the reversal, the loss would have corresponded to reports in local newspapers last week, citing government and airline sources, which said the airline lost almost THB7 billion. Most analysts had previously forecast losses of slightly over THB3 billion for the three months ended June 30.

Shares in Thai Airways closed Monday unchanged at THB35.75, down 12.3% since the reports were published on Thursday last week, but off Monday's intraday low of THB34. The company reported its earnings after the close of trading.

According to the company's financial statement, total revenues in the quarter rose 7.3% to THB37.13 billion from THB34.60 billion.

However, jet fuel costs during the April-June period jumped to THB12.22 billion from THB7.82 billion the previous year, in line with surging global oil prices.

Personnel expenses also surged, to THB8.45 billion from THB5.63 billion in the third quarter last year, as the result of a salary structure adjustment plan.

The carrier booked a foreign exchange loss of THB2.72 billion in the third quarter due to weakness in the Thai baht, which boosted the baht value of the airline's foreign-currency debt. The foreign exchange loss in the year-ago period was THB1.35 billion.

In the nine months to June 30, the company booked a net profit of THB4.43 billion, or THB2.62 per share, down 48.5% from THB8.60 billion, or THB5.28 per share, in the same period a year ago.

Tuesday August 16, 8:07 PM
PRESS RELEASE: Thai Airways To Cut LA Office Staff 50%

Following is a press release from Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH).

BANGKOK--Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced a reorganization of the Los Angeles office in the USA in response to the recently announced cost-cutting measures.

Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI's Executive Vice President, Commercial Department, said that as part of THAI's cost-cutting measures to help counter the effects of increased fuel prices, THAI's Board of Directors appointed the Commercial Department to restructure the work processes and staffing at the Los Angeles station, both town and airport offices, to be in line with the current market situation.

The resultant reorganization will result in retrenchment of 50% of the existing staff, a total of 53 locally hired employees from the town and airport offices. THAI will ensure that all affected staff will be paid compensation in accordance with the appropriate laws of the U.S.A.

Thai Airways to increase destinations in China


Thai Airways said Tuesday it plans to open routes to Tibet and Shenzhen in China, as well as New York or Los Angels via Beijing.

The company is carrying out feasibility studies of the four routes and will apply to China's aviation authority later on, said Pruet Boobphakam, general manager of the carrier in China.

The Thai airline now operates 49 weekly flights between China and Thailand, including ten to Beijing, fourteen to Shanghai, five to Chengdu, seven to Kunming, ten to Guangzhou and three to Xiamen. After joining China's biggest aviation distribution system, the company now sells tickets and holiday products via its 720 agents.

Since entering the Chinese market in 1983, Thai Airways has become an important air link of bilateral economic and trade exchanges and will provide higher quality and more favorable price products to Chinese customers, said Boobphakam.

Established in 1959, Thai Airways is a major airline company in southeast Asia. With 84 aircraft, it carries 17 million passengers per year.

Source: Xinhua

Thai Airways International reorganizes Los Angeles Office
16 August 2005


Thai Airways International is reorganizing its Los Angeles office in the U.S.A. in response to the airline's recently announced cost-cutting measures.

The resultant reorganization will result in retrenchment of 50% of the existing staff, a total of 53 locally hired employees from the town and airport offices. THAI said that all affected staff will be paid compensation in accordance with the appropriate laws of the U.S.A.

No Delay To Thai Airbus Purchases
August 17, 2005

Thai Air May Delay Aircraft Purchase After Losses
August 11, 2005

Thai Airways International is considering postponing the acquisition of two new Airbus A340 aircraft to next year after heavy losses, board member Borwornsak Uwanno said.



Thai Airways International said on Wednesday the acquisition of two new Airbus A340-600s would go ahead later this year as planned despite a downturn in the airline's fortunes.

The purchase would not hurt the country's current account deficit, because the airline would delay the payment to next year, airline director Somchainuk Engtrakul told reporters.

"The plan is still on track. There will be no delay," said Somchainuk.

Last week, board member Borwornsak Uwanno said the airline was considering postponing the purchase to next year after heavy financial losses. The planes are due to be delivered in November and December, airline officials have said.

Earlier this week, Thai Air reported a net loss of THB4.78 billion baht (USD$116.2 million) for its third quarter to June 30, widening from a THB913 million (USD$22.1 million) loss a year earlier due to rising jet fuel prices and a slowdown in passenger traffic.

Borwornsak had said a postponement would help ease pressure on Thailand's trade and current account deficits.

The government is trying to curb oil-inflated import bills and boost exports after running trade and current account deficits for the first time since Asia's 1997/1998 economic crisis.

(Reuters)

No Delay To Thai Airbus Purchases

Great! I heard today that the plan to fly Bangkok - Moscow will go ahead later this year.

Besides, Thai Airways is looking into Bangkok - Tibet as well

WOW
It is the great news

Great fly and fly high krub ~~~ smooth of silk

Thai Airways International increases Fuel Surcharge
19 August 2005


Thai Airways International has increased its fuel surcharge on both international and domestic flights. The changes came into effect 16 August 2005.

Domestic Flights

Implemented on all domestic flights at 300 Baht (one-sector flights) and 600 Baht (round-trip flights) per flight coupon, from 200 and 400 Baht previously.

International Flights

Implemented on flights in the Asian and Middle East regions at US$ 25 or approximately 1,000 Baht per flight coupon, from US$ 20 (roughly 800 Baht) previously.

Implemented on intercontinental flights, including Australia and New Zealand at US$ 50 or approximately 2,000 Baht per flight coupon, from US$ 35 (roughly 1,400 Baht) previously.

For passengers who issue THAI airline tickets from travel agents or THAI’s offices worldwide (except Thailand), the airline will implement a fuel surcharge at that initial surcharge rate as of 5 September 2005 onwards.

Malaysian, Thai airlines join forces to cash in on Vietnam

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Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways International have teamed up for the first time in Vietnam to make it easy for travel agencies to organise tours from Vietnam to other ASEAN countries.

Leaders of the two airlines in Vietnam told reporters Friday that their cooperation was to offer convenient flights for travel agencies to arrange better tours for travelers in Ho Chi Minh City to visit Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore within their package trips.

Sabarudin Ismail, area manager of Malaysia Siarlines in Vietnam, and Charoenchai Laksanakorn, general manager of Thai Airways International in Vietnam, said their deal would give tour operators a wider choice.

They can organise tours following the three routes of HCMC-Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur-HCMC, HCMC-Bangkok-Singapore and Kuala Lumpur-HCMC, and HCMC-Bangkok-Penang and Kuala Lumpur-HCMC.

Malaysia Airlines operates flights for Kuala Lumpur-HCMC service while Thai Airways International covers the remaining route sections.

(Source: VNA)

Thai Airways Gives Investors Few Signs a Turnaround Is Near
By Suttinee Yuvejwattana Dow Jones Newswires
31 August 2005

BANGKOK -- Shares of Thai Airways International are looking inexpensive after declining following a recent management shakeup and fiscal third-quarter losses, but a turbulent outlook is expected to continue to hold back investors.

Several brokerage houses have downgraded their ratings to either hold or sell and have cut their earnings forecasts for this year and the next in the wake of the company's report this month of a net loss of 4.78 billion baht ($116 million) for the quarter ended in June, mainly because of rising fuel costs, staff costs and foreign-exchange losses.

That third-quarter loss marked a reversal from the net profit of 3.49 billion baht in the fiscal second quarter and was wider than the 913.1 million baht loss of the year-earlier third quarter. Most analysts had forecast losses of slightly more than three billion baht for the latest quarter.

"The stock is cheap, but [the company] faces severe challenges in turning around its existing business. We suggest to avoid it until signs of turnaround," CLSA Securities said in a recent research report.

Thai Airways' shares closed at 37 baht yesterday, down 25 satang from Monday and down 24% for the year to date. The country's main stock index has risen 3.7% this year.

Of six brokerage houses surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires, four have a hold rating on the stock. Only Phatra Securities maintains a buy rating, citing the stock's low valuation, but the brokerage house slashed its price target to 45 baht from 60 baht, in line with lower earnings estimates. Siam City Securities rated the stock a sell, as the high oil price remains a big threat for the company's bottom line.

The brokerage houses' 12-month price targets range from 30 baht to 45 baht.

"Despite the fact that its price is below our fair value, we are still not optimistic of a near-term recovery in the airline's earnings. So, we maintain our hold recommendation,' " said Daowadee Teera-apisakkul, an analyst at Kim Eng Securities.

Thai Airways first shocked the market in early August, when its board suspended President Kanok Abhiradee from his managerial responsibilities.

The airline's board has since granted management authority to Somchaineuk Engtrakul, a board member and former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Finance, who set up an executive committee to run the company in a bid to turn its performance around.

Analysts said that although the management shakeup could have a long-term positive effect on the airline, allowing it to get its finances in order, many investors are likely to take a wait-and-see stance until a permanent executive is appointed. The finance ministry owns 54% of the airline.

Thai Airways' interim management said the carrier will return to the black in the quarter ending in September, thanks to the high tourist season and an aggressive cost-cutting plan. Many analysts say that the rising revenue may not be sufficient to offset the carrier's huge expenses, particularly its soaring fuel bill.

KGI Securities cut its net profit forecast for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 by 44% to 4.66 billion baht, and by 43% for fiscal 2006 to 5.57 billion baht, in line with an upward revision of the average jet fuel price. KGI also expects that the airline's revenue this year will be around 159.4 billion baht, rising to 171.79 billion baht in fiscal 2006.

In fiscal 2004, Thai Airways recorded a net profit of 10.08 billion baht on revenue of 152.60 billion baht.

The airline's jet-fuel costs in the quarter ended in June jumped to 12.22 billion baht from 7.82 billion baht the previous year, in line with surging global oil prices.

To cope with soaring fuel costs, Thai Airways imposed a fuel surcharge July 1 and has raised the rate twice since then. The latest round of adjustment brings the fuel surcharge to 300 baht for domestic one-way flights, $25 for flights in Asia and the Middle East and at $50 for intercontinental flights, including Australia and New Zealand.

Fuel costs now account for around 26% of the airline's total costs, up from 20% in the previous year.

Thai Airways wins contract
Business Day


Thai Airways International (THAI) has won a contract worth more than $1 million to fly the officials of the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund across Southeast Asia region.
Wallop Bhukkanasut, THAI Vice President of Sales and Distribution, said the deal was a part of the success from the airline’s new Bangkok — New York route on which THAI started direct flight operation in last May.
He said both international organizations, whose headquarters are in New York, would usually spend about $1.5 million annually in flying their officials to attend meetings in the region.
“The contracts with organizations such as UN and IMF, as well as those in the US private sector, have been a phenomenon. The [Bangkok-New York] route is likely to generate huge revenue for THAI in the future,” said the THAI vice president.

Thai Airways International launches Corporate Travel Card for MICE Activities in Andaman
12 September 2005


Thai Airways International in cooperation with the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Krungthai Card Public Company Limited (KTC) are launching a THAI Corporate Travel Card, which will be distributed to leading corporations in Thailand and the company's premium customers, in an effort to boost corporate travel to the Southern Andaman.

The Corporate Travel Card will be extended to Thailand's leading companies for special privilege packages from THAI on routes from Bangkok to Phuket, Krabi, and Trang. Cardholder privileges include special air fares for flying THAI flights, 50% discount for weekday travel and 30% for weekend travel, and special support for corporate meetings, seminars, and incentives by TCEB.

Special Weekday (Monday - Friday) THAI Air Fares are: round-trip ticket on the route Bangkok-Phuket at THB 2,630 per person in Economy Class and THB 3,630 baht per person in Business Class, round-trip ticket on the route Bangkok-Krabi at THB 2,560 per person in Economy Class and THB 3,560 per person in Business Class, and round-trip ticket on the route Bangkok-Trang at THB 2,750 baht per person in Economy Class and THB 3,750 in Business Class.

Special Weekend (Saturday - Sunday) Air Fares are: round-trip ticket on the routes Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Krabi, Bangkok-Trang, are THB 3,330 baht per person in Economy Class and THB 5,330 baht per person in Business Class.

These special air fares are effective for ticketing and departure date from now until 31 October 2005 for journeys to be completed 31 October 2005; airport tax, insurance, and fuel surcharge are not included; for a minimum group size of 10 adults (no FOC or free of charge tickets); restrictions of ticket are outbound valid on flight and date shown only, non-reroutable, non-refundable; advanced reservation at least 3 weeks before departure; an extra charge of 2,000 baht (round-trip travel) for travel from North and Northeast cities in Thailand.

Thai Airways International adds Two New A340-600 Aircraft to fleet
16 September 2005


Thai Airways International has taken delivery of two A340-600 aircraft from Airbus. The aircraft uses Rolls-Royce RR Trent 556 engines. The airline will use the new aircraft to fly passengers to five difference destinations in Europe and Asia.

THAI's A340-600 aircraft is configured with a total of 267 seats in three classes. First Class is comprised of 8 shell type seats with an 83-inch pitch and 180 degree recline angle and leg rest.

Business Class offers 60 shell type seats with a 60-inch pitch in a 2-2-2 configuration and 170 degree recline angle with leg rest.

Economy Class has a total of 199 seats with recline angle between 115-122 degree and a 32-34-inch pitch in a 2-4-2 configuration.

The interior design of the A340-600 offers mood lighting, personal telephone service for First and Business Class passengers, PC Power, and personal screens for each seat in all three classes. First Class and Business Class passengers will be able to enjoy a personal screen of 10.4 inches wide while in Economy Class a 9 inch wide screen is offered.

The entertainment system in the new A340-600 aircraft is upgraded and is now loaded with the Digital Audio and Video on Demand (AVOD) system. This means that passengers may choose their own inflight entertainment programs to watch on their personal screens. The available selections include movies of some 30 titles, 70 discovery films, 100 music album of 600 titles, 30 games, news from leading news channels around the world, as well as a language learning program, including Thai language for tourists.

This new A340-600 aircraft will be used to service passengers travelling to Europe, including Zurich, Switzerland, Milan, and Spain, and Tokyo, Japan in Asia. THAI received the two A340-600 aircraft in June and August 2005 respectively, and will receive another three aircraft of this model from Airbus by the end of the year 2005.

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Economy Class
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Royal Silk Class
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Royal First Class
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Credit: Boriboon Amratisha
Source: www.thaiaviation.net

very nice

Drop dead! gorgeous! both outside and interior..good job my THAI

wow, very nice 1st class cabin, i've never seen A340's 1st class before

Thai Airways International adjusts International Traffic Plans during Winter Program
21 September 2005


Thai Airways International has made adjustments and flight increases to its flight schedule, in preparation for its Winter Program on routes to America, Europe, and Asia, effective from 31 October 2005.

THAI is planning for an increase in passenger travel on various routes worldwide during this period, with adjustment to the Winter traffic schedule based on flight reservations and actual passenger numbers per flight. The adjustment on the airline's international routes for its Winter operations is a move that has received positive results from passengers traveling with THAI, since the cabin factor during this period is currently at 75%.
Flight Route
(return flights) Before Flight Adjustment After Flight Adjustment Aircraft Type

Bangkok-New York 6 flights/ per week Daily Airbus A340-500
Bangkok-Frankfurt 6 flights/ per week Daily Boeing 747-400
Bangkok-Copenhagen 6 flights/ per week Daily Boeing 747-400
Bangkok-Stockholm 5 flights/ per week 6 flights/ per week Boeing 747-400
Bangkok-Osaka 3 flights/ per week 4 flights/ per week Airbus A300-600
Bangkok-Fukuoka 5 flights/ per week Daily Airbus A300-600
Bangkok-Guangzhou 3 flights/ per week 5 flights/ per week Airbus A300-600
Bangkok-Kolkata 5 flights/ per week Daily Airbus A300-600
Bangkok-Bangalore 5 flights/ per week Daily Airbus A300-600
Bangkok-Colombo 3 flights/ per week 4 flights/ per week Airbus A300-600


In addition, there will be a special charter flight during this period on the route Bangkok - Phuket - Seoul v.v. at 2 flights per week between 30 October 2005 and 22 February 2006, supporting tourism to Phuket and neighboring provinces in accordance to the Government's policy.

Wish they could operate more to other North American cities.

Airline accedes to pressure not to cancel route

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Thai Airways International (THAI) has bowed to the demands of Mae Hong Son people not to cease its service between the mountainous northern town and Chiang Mai. Acting THAI president Somchainuek Engtrakul struck the deal with local authorities and tourism industry leaders yesterday. They had expressed grave concern about the effect the cancellation of the service would have on the province's main revenue earner _ tourism.

Under the agreement THAI will operate three flights a day on the route using a 70-seat ATR twin turbojet plane. Its no-frills sister carrier Nok Air will provide one flight a day with the same type of aircraft to be leased from the national carrier, Mr Somchainuek said.

The arrangement, effective from November, will allow an evaluation of passengers' reactions to Nok Air's no-frills service, which Mae Hong Son industry leaders think passengers do not like.

THAI wanted to turn over all the secondary domestic routes, including the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son service, to Nok Air to cut losses, especially during the low season, and concentrate on other domestic trunk routes _ Bangkok-Phitsanulok and Bangkok-Trang.

Political and trade pressure was brought to bear on THAI not to end the service, sources said.

Thai Airways International to serve Dates to passengers during Ramadan
26 September 2005


Thai Airways International is to serve dates to passengers in all classes of travel during the month of Ramadan on flights operated to and from the Middle East, from 3 October to 2 November 2005.

The date is a fruit that rapidly increases blood sugar when consumed. Therefore, dates are appropriate for all passengers whose blood sugar is lower than normal during the Ramadan period of fasting. THAI will serve dates to all passengers traveling on the following Middle Eastern routes:

Bangkok - Karachi v.v. TG501, TG502
Bangkok - Lahore v.v. TG505, TG506
Bangkok - Karachi TG507
Muscat - Karachi TG508
Bangkok - Dubai v.v. TG515, TG518
Dubai - Kuwait TG519
Dubai - Chennai TG522

Thai Airways International and GE Sign MOU to establish World Class Maintenance Services Provider
29 September 2005


Thai Airways International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GE Engine Services to become a GE Approved CF6 Center of Excellence, and a world class CF6 maintenance provider.

Under the terms of the MOU, GE will provide technical and marketing support to enable the THAI Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Don Muang Airport in Thailand to become a GE Approved CF6 Center of Excellence, whereby the facility will provide world-class maintenance and overhaul services to operators of CF6-50 and CF6-80 engines around the world. GE will also establish an on-site logistic center to enable THAI's MRO facility to have access to GE parts and materials.

Thai Air's Passenger Load Dips In August
September 30, 2005

Thai Airways International said on Friday it filled 75 percent of its seats in August, down from the previous month and the same period a year earlier.

Thai said in a statement it filled 76.1 percent of its seats in August 2004 and 75.3 percent in July this year.

The airline, dealing with high fuel prices and a tourist industry hit by the December 26 tsunami, said demand for travel from Australia, Europe and the North Pacific fell in August from a year earlier.

The airline carried 1.59 million passengers in August, down from 1.67 million in August 2004, but up from 1.55 million in July this year, it said.

It carried 16.69 million passengers and filled 71.4 percent of its seats in the first 11 months of its current financial year, which runs from October 1 to September 30, it said.

That compared with 18.07 million passengers and a 72.5 percent passenger load in the same period a year ago.

Thai Airways said it filled 67.3 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in August, down from 67.9 in the same period a year earlier and from 68.8 percent in July.

Rival Singapore Airlines filled 67.3 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in August, almost unchanged from a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said it carried 1.42 million passengers in August, an 11.6 percent rise from a year earlier.

(Reuters)

Thai Airways to launch direct flights to Moscow
4 October 2005


Thai Airways International is to operate direct flights three times per week on the route Bangkok - Moscow (Domodedovo) v.v. utilizing MD-11 aircraft, from 1 November 2005 onwards.

Flights between Bangkok and Moscow v.v. (Domodedovo Airport) will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

TG974 Bangkok - Moscow 10.35 hrs. 16.25 hrs.
TG975 Moscow - Bangkok 18.20 hrs. 07.05 hrs. (following day)

THAI has also launched special promotion fares for the route Bangkok - Moscow v.v. as follows:

· Royal First: 89,000 Baht
· Royal Silk: 76,000 Baht
· Economy: 31,000 Baht

This promotion fare is effective now until 31 January 2006.

Moscow celebrated its 850th anniversary of establishment in 1998 and was first founded as the capital of Russia during the 16th century. During the 18th century, the Tsarist Court moved to St. Petersburg while Moscow remained the commercial, religious, and intellectual center, whereas Moscow resumed its position as capital after the Revolution in 1918. Moscow is currently Russia's largest city and the main center for the Russian government and politics, commerce and finance, as well as education and culture. The Russian city is also the most important tourist destination in Russia, boasting grand churches and palaces from the Tsarist era, museums, reminders of the former Communist period, and unique shopping opportunities.

Tourist attractions that are highly popular amongst leisure travelers in Russia include: the Red Square, Kremlin, tomb of Josef Stalin, Bolshoi Opera and Ballet, Sputnik, travel on the Trans-Siberia Express, city tours of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novgorod, and Smolensk, as well as well-known Russian vodka and caviar.

good to know they are expanding their routes.

Thai Airways sees 2005/06 passenger load rising

BANGKOK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL expects to carry more passengers in its fiscal year which started in October after adding more flights on major routes, it said on Friday.

The national carrier said it expected to fill an average 73 percent of its seats in the 2005/06 fiscal year, up 5.4 percent from the previous year, Executive Vice President Vasing Kittikul told reporters.

"After the tsunami and bird flu, we've adjusted our marketing plans to lure back passengers," he said, referring to the Asian tsunami last December which killed more than 5,300 people in Thailand and destroyed hotel and resorts in the southwest.

Thai Air, 20 percent owned by foreign investors such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley , plans to increase its weekly flights to Europe to 76 from 70, Vasing said.

The airline, which has 82 aircraft, would also add more flights to regional routes while focusing on its main domestic, profit-making destinations, he said.

The airline is expected to report a net profit of 5.4 billion baht in fiscal 2005, results which are due in mid-November, down 46 percent from the previous year, according to 14 analysts polled by Reuters Estimates.

Net profit in 2005/06 was forecast to rise to 7.6 billion baht, the analysts said.

Vasing said fuel costs were expected to rise to 59 billion baht for the new fiscal year from 40 billion baht in the previous year.

Shares in Thai Airways, majority-owned by the government, closed up 0.7 percent at 38.25 baht, in line with the overall Thai stock market .

taken from airliners.net
Thai Airways have released their Int'l winter schedule starting from Oct 30th

Europe
Moscow DME - Flights start 3 times weekly MD11 services on Nov 1st

Frankfurt - Flights increase from 13 to 14 times weekly 747-400 services on Oct 30th

Copenhagen - Flights increase from 6 to 7 times weekly 747-400 services on Oct 30th

Stockholm - Flights increase from 5 to 6 times weekly 747-400 services on Oct 30th

Asia
Islamabad - Flights start 2 times weekly A300-600R services on Nov 2nd



North America
New York JFK - Flights reduce from 6 times weekly to 4 times weekly A340-500 on Dec 1st

Los Angeles - Flights start 3 times weekly direct A340-500 services

Los Angeles - 4 times weekly flights via Osaka are cut in favour of direct services

Los Angeles - 4 times weekly flights via Osaka are cut in favour of



Australia/New Zealand
Auckland - Flights increase from 3 to 7 times weekly A340-600 services on Dec 1st



All flights are from Bangkok - BKK!

LHR will stay 14 times weekly 747-400 service again this winter!

good for Thai their increasing their frequncies to Stockholm..
MAS is downgrading the route it from 747-400 to 777-200ER for this winter timetable due to winter season..(if im not mistaken)it will change back to 747 for next timetable though.. :)

Thai Airways passenger load dips in September

BANGKOK, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL said on Tuesday it filled 72.6 percent of its seats in September, slightly down from the same period a year earlier, as well as the previous month.

The carrier, which is 54 percent state-owned, filled 72.8 percent of its seats in September 2004 and 75 percent in August this year.

Facing a combination of high fuel prices and fallout from the Dec. 26 tsunami, the airline said demand for travel from Australia and the North Pacific dropped in September from a year earlier.

It carried 1.44 million passengers in September, down from 1.47 million in the same period last year, and 1.59 million in the previous month, a statement said.

Thai Airways carried 18.13 million passengers and filled 71.5 percent of its seats in its 2004/05 financial year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, it said.

That compared with 19.54 million passengers and a 72.5 percent passenger load in a year earlier, it said.

The airline said it filled 67.5 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in September, down from 68.2 percent in the same period a year earlier, but up from 67.3 percent in August this year.

Rival Singapore Airlines said it filled 67.9 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in September, almost unchanged from a year earlier.

At 0928 GMT, Thai Air shares were down 2.6 percent at 37.25 baht ($0.9), while the broader market dropped 1 percent.

($1=40.89 baht)

Thai Air plane damaged, blocks Australian airport

CANBERRA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - A Thai Airways A340 Airbus suffered undercarriage damage during a heavy landing at Melbourne airport, forcing Australia's second-busiest airport to close, Australian aviation officials said on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Airservices Australia said the plane touched down at about midday (0200 GMT) after a flight from Bangkok but blew a tyre and damaged hydraulic lines in its undercarriage on landing.

"As a result, hydraulic fluid has leaked onto hot brakes, and there's been two fires. They were extinguished quickly," the spokesman said.

He said the plane had stopped at the intersection of the airport's two runways. All flights out of Melbourne were delayed and flights to Melbourne were diverted to other airports.

"There are nil reports of any injuries to passengers or flight crew," the spokesman said.

Thai Airways International adjusts Winter Program
21 October 2005


Thai Airways International has made adjustments to its Winter Program, reflecting a change in demand for traffic in key markets.

THAI will begin operating three flights per week on the route Bangkok - Moscow (Domodedovo) v.v., utilizing MD-11 aircraft, from 1 November. THAI will also operate two flights per week on the route Bangkok - Islamabad v.v., utilizing Airbus A300-600 aircraft, from 2 November.

Other adjustment to THAI's Winter Program includes alterations to its North American routes. Non-stop flights on the recently launched route Bangkok - New York v.v. will operate 6 flights per week until 1 December, after which service will reduce to 4 flights per week while retaining Airbus A340-500 aircraft. THAI will begin operating direct flights on the route Bangkok - Los Angeles v.v., operating 3 flights per week and utilizing Airbus A340-500 aircraft, from 1 December. Direct flights routed Bangkok - Los Angeles v.v. replace service on the route Bangkok - Osaka (Kansai) - Los Angeles v.v. that will be suspended from 1 December, previously utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

THAI is also to increase flight frequencies by 3 additional flights on its European routes. From 30 October, THAI will increase its total flights operated on the route Bangkok - Frankfurt v.v. from 13 to 14 flights per week, increase flights routed Bangkok - Copenhagen v.v. from 6 to 7 flights per week, and increase flights routed Bangkok - Stockholm v.v. from 5 to 6 flights per week.

In its Australasian routes, THAI will introduce daily flights to Auckland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, both destinations utilizing Airbus A340-600 aircraft, effective 1 December. THAI will operate direct flights on the route Bangkok - Auckland v.v., which will increase from 3 to 7 flights per week as from 1 December. The airline will also operate direct flights on the route Bangkok - Sydney v.v., which will increase from 3 to 7 flights per week as and service on the route Bangkok - Sydney - Auckland v.v. will be suspended from 1 December.

THAI Clarifies Tyre Burst in Melbourne
Corporate Press Release

Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, Board Member Acting as President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, announced a clarification regarding an incident involving its Airbus A340-600, flight TG981, on the route Bangkok - Melbourne.

THAI's flight TG981, utilizing Airbus A340-600 aircraft, on the route Bangkok - Melbourne, departed from Bangkok at 00.15 hours on 26 October 2005 and arrived in Melbourne, Australia, at 11.59 hours (local time). While approaching Melbourne International Airport, the main wheel no.1 burst and resulted in a hydraulic blue system leak. The tower control observed the incident and sent the airport safety fire crews to extinguish sparks in the undercarriage, resulting in smoke. At the time, the aircraft was on the runway in the process of taxiing as it had entered the taxiway. The tower control required the aircraft to be parked and sent a microbus to transport the 260 passengers and crew, who were transported to the terminal with no injuries. The aircraft concerned was not much affected, the tyre was replaced, and the aircraft was towed to the hangar. THAI's Technical Department is currently investigating the aircraft concerned.

Flight TG982, on the route Melbourne - Bangkok, was cancelled as a result of the incident, as the flight was to be operated with the aircraft concerned with departure originally set for 16.20 hours (local time) and arrive in Bangkok at 22.40 hours, today (26 October 2005). The company will send the aircraft operating flight TG980, on the route Sydney - Melbourne - Phuket - Bangkok to transport passengers of flight TG982, with departure from Melbourne at 00.15 hours on 27 October (local time) and arrival in Bangkok at 08.30 hours on 27 October 2005.

I have some doubts about the competence of Thai Airways pilots. On a flight from Penang to Bangkok, the pilot made a very sharp turn(the sharpest i've ever experienced in a passenger jet in many hours of flying) at the last minute on final apporach and made a very hard landing. For a moment i thought the landing gear was going to disintegrate. I've read articles about passengers who experienced concern about manouevers that exceed passengers comfort as well. Maybe the Melbourne flight was piloted by the same pilot that piloted my flight

THAI Wins "Business Class - Best Airline" TTG Travel Awards

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited was awarded the "Best Airline - Business Class " TTG Travel Award at the 16th TTG Travel Awards Gala Dinner and Ceremony, at Siam Ballroom, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Pattaya on the 13th October 2005.

Flg.Off. Chinawut Naressaenee, THAI's Executive Vice President for Customer Services, received THAI's "Business Class - Best Airline" Award from Mr. Darren Ng, TTG Media's Managing Director.

Flg.Off. Chinawut Naressaenee said that, "THAI is very proud to be awarded the 'Best Airline - Business Class" Award from TTG, as our airline has been actively moving forward in all areas, including inflight and ground services, over the past year in a move to meet passenger expectations of comfort and convenience better than ever before."

Furthermore, Flg.Off. Chinawut Naressaenee stated that, "By the end of 2004, THAI has introduced a revolutionary new concept in service for the business and frequent traveler. The THAI Royal Silk Class is a Class above all other Executive Classes, designed to serve the needs of those for whom travel is a necessity, and should be a pleasure. The THAI Royal Silk experience will begin at the moment of making a reservation, and will continue through the whole journey till the traveler arrives at their destination. THAI Royal Silk is more than a concept, it's a promise of perfection in service, with unique touches of Thai, on the ground and in the air."

Receiving the 'Best Airline - Business Class" TTG Travel Award is a benchmark that serves as evidence of THAI's success in providing maximum passenger service satisfaction and is an incentive for the challenges yet to come as we work towards our goal of being the 'First Choice Carrier with Touches of Thai.

TTG Travel Award recognized 61 organizations and individuals from the Asia-Pacific region. More than 7,000 TTG publications readers - TTG Asia, TTG China, BTN Asia Pacific, BTN China and TTGmice - from 17 Asia-Pacific countries nominated travel industry organizations in 61 categories during July 2005.

THAI and GE Sign MOU to Establish a World Class Maintenance Services Provider

(Bangkok, September 27, 2005) Today, at Thai Airways International Public Company Limited's Head Office, Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, THAI's Board Member acting as President, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dr. Sisir Padhy, General Manager, GE Engine Services to become a GE Approved CF6 Center of Excellence, and a world class CF6 maintenance provider.

Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, THAI's Board Member acting as President, said THAI and GE Engine Services have been working in close cooperation for many years on numerous successful programs, the latest being the GEES/THAI On-Site Warehouse at our Technical Department at Bangkok International Airport. This on-site warehouse improves the overall efficiency of THAI Technical Department's CF6 Repair and Overhaul Shop by allowing THAI to purchase engine parts only as and when needed.

THAI was the launch operator of the CF6-80C2 engine in 1985, and today operates over 100 CF6 engines. With the support of GE Engine Services, over the years we have developed the THAI Engine Shop to the highest standards, and we are now ready to join with GE Engine Services to become the GE Engine Services Approved CF6 Center of Excellence in the region.

Dr. Sisir Padhy, General Manager, GE Engine Services, said that under the terms of the MOU, GE will provide technical and marketing support to enable the THAI Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Don Muang Airport in Thailand to become a GE Approved CF6 Center of Excellence, whereby the facility will provide world-class maintenance and overhaul services to operators of CF6-50 and CF6-80 engines around the world. GE will also establish an on-site logistic center to enable THAI's MRO facility to have access to GE parts and materials.

"Today a Memorandum of Understanding will mark the next step, an even closer cooperation between THAI and the GE Engine Services Logistic Center at our Technical Department with GE Engine Services training courses to increase skills and capabilities, together with joint marketing. As a result of this close cooperation both GE Engine Services and THAI can look forward to even more success in the future," said Mr. Supachai Limpisvasti, Managing Director, THAI's Technical Department.

http://www.airliners.net/photos/photos/4/6/6/947664.jpg

I have some doubts about the competence of Thai Airways pilots. On a flight from Penang to Bangkok, the pilot made a very sharp turn(the sharpest i've ever experienced in a passenger jet in many hours of flying) at the last minute on final apporach and made a very hard landing. For a moment i thought the landing gear was going to disintegrate. I've read articles about passengers who experienced concern about manouevers that exceed passengers comfort as well. Maybe the Melbourne flight was piloted by the same pilot that piloted my flight


i've spoken to a few aviation experts who watched the video footage of the Thai plane which landed in MEL and all of them said that the pilots did the correct thing to counter the effect of crosswind. for your info, crosswind happens from time to time to any plane. for the case of Thai airways at MEL, the wind was gusting at 25 knots. some people who know nothing about planes claimed they saw the Thai plane landing at an angle (diagonally), that's actually the correct technique for landing under strong wind conditions.

Boeing crosswind video: http://www.linhadafrente.net/bin/Pousos.wmv

if the pilot did not make the aircraft touch down heavily on the tarmac, the plane might get blown off the runway or head in an incorrect direction. by making a heavy touch-down, the plane will maintain a better balance and be able to regain its direction on ground. if it's still aloft, the crosswind might cause the plane to lean on one side, possibly causing one of its wings to hit the ground. it is better to have tyres blown than to set the engines under the wing on fire!

also, heavy landing as a result of crosswind happens everyday around the world. it's not a really a big fuss.

Update: they technicians have checked the plane and it has now returned to BKK.



CORRECT TECHNIQUE
http://www.aviationpics.de/appr/tang/tandg_3.jpg
http://www.aviationpics.de/appr/tang/tandg_5.jpg

INCORRECT TECHNIQUE
http://www.aviationpics.de/appr/mal.jpg
http://www.aviationpics.de/appr/miss01.jpg
http://www.aviationpics.de/appr/miss00.jpg

Thai Air plane damaged, blocks Australian airport

CANBERRA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - A Thai Airways A340 Airbus suffered undercarriage damage during a heavy landing at Melbourne airport, forcing Australia's second-busiest airport to close, Australian aviation officials said on Wednesday..................



http://tinypic.com/f3hp93.jpg

THAI int`l airways starts operation from Bangkok to Islamabad: GG Jamal

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Tourism, Dr. G. G. Jamal has said on Sunday that the Thai Airways International will be starting their operation from Bangkok directly to Islamabad and Islamabad to Bangkok.

He stated that the government has given approval to Thai airways, in order to enhance the Tourism of Pakistan in the Northern Areas. But keeping in mind the present circumstances, it be helpful in relief and rehabilitation efforts too, he added. The Minister said that it would indeed boost up the spirit of cooperation.

The first flight will be landing with passengers on the 2nd November 2005 at Islamabad International airport. The Thai Airways International is arranging for a reception ceremony for this first flight and Federal Minister for Tourism, Dr. G. G. Jamal will be a chief guest at the occasion.

Thai Airways, China Eastern Airlines launch code-sharing service

BANGKOK, Oct 31 (AFP) - Thailand's national carrier Thai Airways said Monday it has launched a code-sharing service with China Eastern Airlines in a bid to further boost tourism and business trips between the two countries.

The code-sharing pact, which came into effect on Sunday, covers daily flights between Bangkok and Shanghai, one of the most popular Asian routes for the Thai airliner.

"There is already strong demand for business trips and tourism between Thailand and China and we hope that the code-sharing will increase the demand further," said a spokeswoman for the Thai airliner.

The Thai airline currently serves over 73 destinations worldwide while China Eastern Airlines, one of China's top three carriers, operates more than 60 international routes.

THAI chooses Arinc communication system

Thai Airways International Plc has entered into a contract with Arinc Incorporated, an air transport communications and systems provider, to provide telecommunications services between Bangkok and its offices in Dubai, Milan, Munich, Incheon, Busan and London. Arinc will provide THAI with a Muse Link managed Internet protocol network service, which allows multiple airlines at each airport to share the costs of local network infrastructure.

Source : Bangkokpost : Nov 3, 2005

Regular THAI flights to Moscow

Thai Airways International (THAI) has become the 15th foreign airline to fly regularly to Moscow, said officials at Domodedovo International Airport in the Russian capital.

THAI on Tuesday started a regular service between Bangkok and Moscow. During the 2005-06 winter season, it will fly the route three times a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Moscow Domodedovo International Airport, operated by the East Line Group, has received a certificate confirming its compliance with the requirements of the ICAO Category III A, as more global airlines start flying to Russia’s busiest airport.

A range of work to bring the airport’s standards in line with the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards and Russian regulations allow Domodedovo to become the only all-weather airport in the country to operate without any restrictions.

Honeywell Airport Systems GmbH, a general contractor, reconstructed the airport’s second runway to comply with ICAO requirements. In accordance with the requirements, the ILS 410/DME FSD-40 landing system produced by Germany-based Tales ATM was installed.

Source : THE NATION : Nov 3, 2005

Struggling Thai Airways extends term of interim boss

BANGKOK, Nov 3 (AFP) - Struggling Thai Airways International said Thursday it has approved a three-month extension of presidential duties by a former permanent secretary of the finance ministry, the airline's biggest shareholder.

Somchainuk Engtrakul will continue working as the company's president until February 2006. His original term expires November 10, the company said.

He took the post in August to overhaul the money-losing national carrier after his predecessor, Kanok Abhiradee, was suspended for three months to take responsibility for the company's worst financial loss.

The airline reported a loss of 4.78 billion baht (117 million dollars) in the three months to June after being hammered by skyrocketing jet fuel costs and increased personnel expenses.

The company said Thursday its board also approved the creation of three new subsidiaries for airport ticket sales, tour packages and human resources.

Thai's finance ministry is the airline's biggest shareholder with a 54.21-percent stake.

THAI's 2006 profit 'at least Bt10 billion'
6 November 2005
The Nation

Thai Airways International Plc's net profit will bounce back from last fiscal year's slide below Bt10 billion thanks to contributions from new ancillary businesses and the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya predicted yesterday.

Thanong said after visiting the headquarters of THAI that the airline's net profit this fiscal year, which started last month, should reach Bt10 billion. The main factors for the rebound would be an internal restructuring, modernisation of its information system, expansion of its fleet and improvements in domestic operations.

In the last fiscal year's first nine months ended June 30, THAI's net profit fell to Bt4.4 billion after suffering an eye-popping Bt4.8-billion loss in the third quarter due to rising oil prices and a new wage structure. Thanong said THAI's income statement should return to the black in the quarter ended September 30.

THAI's net profit normally ranges between Bt10 billion and Bt12 billion a year.

The board's recent decision to spin off three operations should not affect THAI's core business, because the new subsidiaries are expected to handle complementary activities, he said.

A foreign analyst, who requested anonymity, said the spin-off was a sound business decision. "Now you will be able to see which business units are under-performing," he said.

THAI issued a press release to explain that hiving off non-core businesses would not result in layoffs.

"In today's era of conducting business, it is vital and necessary to establish subsidiaries, as it allows the company to have increased flexibility and leverage to manage its business in the competitive airline industry," said Wanchai Sarathulthat, THAI's chairman. "The initial step undertaken has been to establish subsidiaries that are newly set up, with no effect on employees currently working for the company. The company will also recruit new hires for those subsidiaries."

One new company will manage airport projects, including Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, Bangladesh, and the airport in Krabi.

Another company will manage airline human resources and the THAI Aviation Research Institute.

The remaining unit will handle airline ticket sales and tour packages.

The national carrier's performance was pressured last year due to jet fuel prices, which jumped by 30-40 per cent, Thanong said.

The foreign analyst said he sees calmer weather for THAI this year after last year's turbulence from oil prices, lower inbound traffic following the tsunami and the salary adjustment for THAI employees earlier in the year.

"This fiscal year should be better because these factors are likely to go away. Oil prices this year should go down from last year's level and THAI is unlikely to spend a lot to pump up employees' salaries again," the analyst said.

Phatra Securities Plc said in a research paper that the outlook for THAI is brighter this year due to a recovery in foreign arrivals and expanded capacity.

"We attributed the growth to a combination of increased affordability, more aggressive marketing, cheaper flights in real terms, enlightened open-skies agreements and visa policies towards key markets such as China and India and the emergence of low-cost regional airlines and geopolitical factors," it said.

The Finance Ministry is the major shareholder of THAI.

Thai Airways International to serve Special Menu to Celebrate H.M. the King of Thailand's Birthday
9 November 2005

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/newspics/0511/LobsterMedallian.jpg


Thai Airways International is to celebrate His Majesty the King of Thailand’s Birthday on December 5, 2005 by offering special inflight menus, prepared with ingredients from the Royal Projects Foundation, Doy Intanond. These menus are specially prepared for passengers traveling THAI’s international flights departing Bangkok International Airport between 4-6 December 2005. The airline will serve special inflight menus to passengers in Royal First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class, as follows:
Lobster Medallian

In Royal First Class a first course of Lobster Medallian, with chicken breast roll stuffed with goose liver paté as a European style main course. Also, passengers may select a Thai style main course such as Tab Tim fish homok or a typical Thai omelet stuffed with minced prawn, served with Thai rice. Special homemade ice cream with rum and fruits will be served as dessert.

In Business Class and Economy Class a first course featuring a salad with deep-fried trout from the Royal Projects. Main course of Tab Tim fish homok and a Thai omelet with onions, served with Thai rice. In addition, THAI will serve Doi Tung macadamia nuts baked egg custard.

The special inflight menus help to promote Thai ingredients and herbs worldwide under the vision of “Charm of Thai Cuisine” and also help promote products from the Royal Projects and local agricultural products to people on an international basis.

THAI hopes for bonanza from Moscow
25 November 2005
The Nation

Thai Airways International hopes that its recently introduced services between Bangkok and Moscow will soon play an important role in boosting business for its connecting flights in Asia and Europe.

THAI began flying the new route earlier this month and is forging a business partnership with Russia's Siberian Airlines, to serve travellers from eastern Russia who want to go to Asia, and vice versa.

It is also negotiating with Russia's national carrier, Aeroflot, to pick up the onward travel of Aeroflot passengers within Asia, particularly from Bangkok to neighbouring destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

Such business will boost the number of passengers for THAI's regional routes, according to the national carrier's senior vice president for commercial business, Vasing Kittikun.

He said THAI did not want to be a rival for Aeroflot, which has so far dominated the Bangkok-Moscow route, but rather to boost its overall international business by flying the new route.apos;apos;

THAI now uses only 40 per cent to 45 per cent of it load capacity on the new route, but Vasing said it would pick up income from connecting flights linking Bangkok with Asian neighbours at one end and Moscow with European destinations at the other.

THAI's three flights leave Bangkok at 10.30am, allowing time to pick up passengers from neighbouring countries. Flights from Moscow arrive in Bangkok at 7am, just before flights for neighbouring destinations depart.

THAI is also planning a deal allowing Japanese travellers an overnight stay in Bangkok on their way to Moscow.

Vasing is hopeful that once all arrangements are in place, the load factor on the new route will rise during December and January to 60 per cent and higher in March when Russian travellers are heading south for summer vacations.

The route promises high business potential, given the high purchasing power of the better-off Russians, who are enthusiastically and financially ready to explore the world, he said.

THAI's first- and business-class return fares to Moscow are US$3,800 and $2,800 (Bt156,400 and Bt115,300), respectively. It is currently using MD11 aircraft, but plans to introduce new Airbus A340-600s on the route next summer, providing the opportunity for higher prices to help the service break even within six or eight months.

Vasing defended THAI's decision to launch the service despite plans by both Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines to fly to Moscow next year.

"Despite the low load factor, we can't just look at our services route by route," he said. "We have to consider the airline as a network with routes that compliment each other. We're satisfied if the entire network is operating profitably."

THAI has come under huge pressure to improve its performance, with expectations that its 2005 net profit will fall below last year's Bt10 billion.

Thai Airways FY'05 Net Down On Rising Fuel Costs
29 November 2005

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) Tuesday reported a 32.7% net profit decline for fiscal year 2005, due mainly to rising jet fuel costs.

The company's net profit in the period ended Sept. 30 dropped to THB6.78 billion, or THB4.00 per share, from THB10.08 billion, or THB6.14 per share, in fiscal 2004.

In the fourth quarter - according to Dow Jones Newswires' calculations based on nine-month and full-year data - the national carrier achieved a net profit of THB2.35 billion, a return to profit after a hefty net loss of THB4.78 billion reported in the third quarter.

The fourth-quarter and full-year results were slightly lower than analysts' expectations.

A poll of four brokerages by Dow Jones Newswires, forecast that Thai Airways would register a fourth-quarter net profit of THB2.66 billion and THB7.08 billion for the full year.

The improvement in the fiscal fourth quarter was a result of higher fuel surcharges and the absence of the third quarter's heavy foreign exchange losses on the baht value of the carrier's foreign currency-denominated debt, analysts said.

The carrier imposed the fuel surcharge to offset rising fuel costs, helping to raise total revenue for fiscal 2005 7.2% to THB164.92 billion.

A slowdown in the country's tourism industry following the tsunami disaster last December, ongoing unrest in southern Thailand and concerns over the spread of bird flu has put pressure on the company's full-year earnings, Thai Airways said in a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Passengers numbers for the year totaled 18.13 million, a 7.2% decrease from last year as a result of the tsunami, which deterred tourists from traveling especially during January-March, the company said.

The airline's total expenses during the year rose 14.8% to THB151.66 billion on higher fuel costs and a one-time charge relating to an early retirement program and salary base adjustment.

Fuel costs alone jumped 50% to THB46.10 billion during the period, the company said.

The company's operating profit dropped 47.2% on year to THB10.82 billion, but its bottom-line was partially buoyed by foreign exchange gains of THB1.74 billion, compared with THB2.18 billion in foreign exchange losses in the previous fiscal year.

Analysts generally project improved earnings for Thai Airways in fiscal 2006, which started Oct. 1, as global oil prices are expected to stabilize and tourism is seen likely to continue gathering strength.

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said earlier that Thai Airways is expected to post a net profit of over THB10 billion in fiscal 2006, on rising revenue resulting from new marketing activities and more high-yield routes with the addition of new aircraft to its fleet.

The airline expects to take delivery of two new Airbus 340 aircraft in November, to add to its existing fleet of 89 aircraft. It also plans to wind down unprofitable routes and increase direct flights. It's Bangkok-Los Angeles route, which currently stops over in Japan will become a direct flight from Dec 1., and its Bangkok-Auckland-Sydney service will be split into two direct routes - Bangkok-Auckland and Bangkok-Sydney - of seven flights per week each, also from Dec. 1.

Thanong added that the cost of jet fuel is expected to be more manageable next year. The net profit forecast is based on the assumption that jet fuel prices will remain at current levels, he said.

In July-September, jet fuel averaged $75.12 a barrel, up from $51.13 a barrel in the same period last year, analysts said.

Thai Air Oct passenger load dips vs yr-ago, flat vs Sept

BANGKOK, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL said on Friday it filled 72.6 percent of its seats in October, down from the same period last year, but unchanged from September.

The national carrier, which is 54 percent owned by the Finance Ministry, filled 73 percent of its seats in October 2004 and 72.6 percent in September this year.

Thai Airways said demand for travel from the North Pacific, Australia and Europe was lower in October than last year, as the region struggles to recover from last December's devastating tsunami. The airline also faced higher fuel prices.

The airline said it carried 1.58 million passengers in October, the first month of its current 2005/06 financial year, down from 1.63 million in October last year, but up from 1.44 million in September.

Thai Air said it filled 68 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in October, down from 69.8 percent in the same period a year earlier, but up from 67.5 percent in September.

It carried 18.13 million passengers and filled 67.1 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in its previous financial year to end-September.

At 0432 GMT, Thai Air shares were up 0.6 percent at 40 baht, in line with the broader market .

Rival Singapore Airlines , the world's second-biggest airline by market value, said it filled 70.3 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in October, up from 68.3 percent a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said it carried 1.31 million passengers in October, up 11.9 percent from a year earlier. ($1=41.4 baht)

Thai Airways International reports net profit of 6,777 million Baht
30 November 2005


Thai Airways International's financial results for fiscal year 2005 (October 2004 – September 2005) resulted in total revenues from the sale of goods and the rendering of services of 162,488 million Baht with a net profit of 6,777 million Baht, a decrease of 3,300 million Baht or 32.7% compared to the last fiscal year. This translated into earnings per share of 4 Baht for fiscal year 2005 compared to earnings per share of 6.14 Baht for fiscal year 2004.

The company’s revenues from the sale of goods and the rendering of services increased from last year by 9,885 million Baht or 6.5%. Contributions of profits primarily came from passenger revenue resulting from expansion of the company’s network to more destinations in efforts to reach more areas around the world, and the increased flight frequency to support increased passenger traffic.

Operating expense increased from 132,105 million Baht to 151,664 million Baht, when compared to the same period last year, an increase of 19,559 million Baht or 14.8% resulting from the high increase in fuel prices that rose by 50.1%, and a one time charge against personnel expenses for a mutual separation plan to down-size the organization and reduce personnel expenses, along with an adjustment of the company’s salary structure. The company did, however, also gain 1,470 million Baht in foreign exchange due to a stronger Baht.

Thai Airways International arranges Special Flights for Haj Pilgrimage
30 November 2005


Thai Airways International is arranging special flights between 6 December 2005 and 31 January 2006 to transport Muslims to participate in the Haj Muslim Pilgrimage.

THAI will operate 13 special flights for over 6,000 Muslims who will participate in the Haj Pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on the route Hat Yai – Jeddah with 11 flights and on the route Phuket – Jeddah with 2 flights utilizing Boeing 747-300 aircraft.

In order to facilitate passengers’ comfort and convenience, THAI has also arranged special ground and inflight services to assist passengers traveling with THAI during this period. Services provided will include assistance from ground staff at the final destination, special Halal meals, medical kits, and inflight information guides that will be available to passengers.

Thai Airways International launches flights between Bangkok and Los Angeles
5 December 2005


Thai Airways International has launched non-stop flights between Bangkok and Los Angeles, utilizing its new Airbus A340-500 aircraft on the 14.30-hour route.

THAI will operate three flights per week routed Bangkok – Los Angeles (Tom Bradley International Terminal) v.v. every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

THAI’s A340-500 aircraft with the airline's new corporate identity is configured in three classes with 215 seats: 60 in Royal Silk business class, 42 in premium economy and 113 seats in economy class.

The entertainment system in the A340-500 is equipped with audio-video on demand, touch screen and control headset with interactive personal audio and video program. There are 30 movie titles, 100 music albums, single and multi-player games and language learning systems.

Thursday December 8, 9:24 AM
THAI PRESS: Thai Airways' Kanok Plans To Step Dn In April

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) President Kanok Abhiradee said he will step down in April 2006, The Nation reports.

In July, Kanok was suspended from managerial roles at the national carrier after the company posted disappointing earnings, but he refused to resign.

The airline is seeking a new president, but Kanok said he will not apply, as his term is scheduled to expire at the end of May, according to the paper.

Meanwhile, Somchainuk Engtrakul, currently acting president of Thai Airways, announced he would also not run for the presidency. Applicants must be between 45 and 60 years of age, and Somchainuk is in his early 60s, The Nation said.

Newspaper Web sites: www.nationmultimedia.com

Outlook for Thai Airways brightens on rising traffic
13 December 2005
The Nation (Thailand)

An increase in passenger traffic recorded by Thai Airways International (THAI) in October, which reversed a long-standing decline, suggests continued recovery by the national carrier, according to research by Phatra Securities.

The airline's passenger traffic in October increased by 1.8 per cent year on year, against a year-to-date average of -2.2 per cent.

THAI's international traffic flow is up 2 per cent year on year, continuing the momentum of the past seven months. Domestic flow shows encouraging signs despite having contracted 1.5-per-cent year on year, with passengers still feeling the effect of the oil surcharge, Phatra said.

Despite the improved performance, the securities house warned of some risks that could affect THAI's performance.

"The risks are a sustained high level of oil prices, a drop-off in traffic volume caused by exogenous events and a negative currency environment," it said. "A further change in management could also pose a threat."

Phatra Securities' research concluded that THAI's October traffic data reflected positive signs for the remaining months of the year. With the festive seasons fast approaching and a decrease in oil price, the outlook for THAI in the final quarter remains good.

The passenger-load factor in October was 72.6 per cent, better than the average year-to-date figure of 70 per cent. However, it showed a slight decline from 73 per cent in October 2004, given a 2.3-per-cent increase in capacity due to the addition of two new aircraft to the fleet.

"A distinctive traffic recovery on Australian routes and a sharp rebound in North Pacific services were the boosters," Phatra Securities said. "Europe traffic was soft after two previous strong months, and so was regional traffic volume."

Domestic flow shows encouraging signs, despite having contracted by 1.5 per cent year on year. October's domestic flow rebounded on decreased jet-fuel prices, which peaked in September. A recovery in domestic traffic is expected before the end of the year.

THAI recorded 4-per-cent growth in the volume of cargo, after a 9.4-per-cent increase in capacity. As a result of the latter, the airline's freight-load factor dropped from 61.3 per cent in October 2004 to 58.3 per cent in October 2005.

Phatra Securities said THAI should register a net profit of Bt8.35 billion in 2006 and Bt10.9 billion in 2007, compared with Bt6.78 billion in fiscal 2005. Earnings per share in the next two years should be Bt5 and Bt6.4, respectively, it said, representing annual increases of 23.2 per cent and 30.1 per cent.

Thai Airways International to implement Boeing's Airplane Health Management
15 December 2005


Thai Airways International has signed a contract with Boeing to implement Boeing’s in-flight monitoring system.

Thai Airways becomes the third carrier to sign up for Airplane Health Management (AHM). Singapore Airlines and Japan Airlines signed agreements in November. THAI will use AHM to monitor its fleet of 777 and 747 airplanes – currently 32 airplanes in all.

"What a terrific honor it is to have THAI as an AHM customer,” said Dan da Silva, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. “Clearly, there is momentum building in the marketplace for this game-changing technology. Our AHM team has done a great job building this new system and the team will continue to work to make sure THAI and our other customers are absolutely satisfied.”

During a flight, AHM gathers data about systems on the airplane and relays the information in real time to the ground. Based on that data, maintenance crews can be ready to make repairs when the airplane arrives at its airport gate. AHM can therefore help operators reduce the number and length of airplane dispatch delays and convert certain tasks from non-routine to scheduled maintenance. AHM communicates with ground systems via ARINC Communications and Reporting System (ACARS).

In addition, AHM will support long-term fleet reliability programs by helping airlines identify recurring faults and trends, and by serving as an early-warning system for potential future problems.

Thai Airways International increases Flights for New Year
26 December 2005


Thai Airways International is increasing the number of flights on its domestic sector to facilitate the expected increase of passengers during the New Year 2006.

The increases will be in effect between 30 December 2005 and 4 January 2006. The airline has arranged several special flights and changed to larger aircraft types on flights to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, and Khon Kaen, with a total increase of 12,158 passenger seats or an increase of 12% of normally operated 101,308 passenger seats. Increased domestic flights arranged are as follows:

Bangkok – Chiang Mai

Increase of 6 flights on 30, 31 December 2005 and 2, 3 January 2006. Change to larger aircraft for 3 flights on 31 December 2005 and 2, 3 January 2006. Total increase of passenger seats for return flights on this sector at 3,214 passenger seats or a 10.81% increase.

Bangkok – Chiang Rai

Increase of 3 flights on 31 December 2005 and 2, 3 January 2006. Change to larger aircraft for 6 flights on 30, 31 December 2005 and 2, 3 January 2006. Total increase of passenger seats for return flights on this sector at 2,258 passenger seats or a 25.41% increase.

Bangkok – Phuket

Increase of 6 flights on 30, 31 December 2005 and 2, 3, 4 January 2006. Change to larger aircraft for 6 flights on 30, 31 December 2005 and 2, 3 January 2006. Total increase of passenger seats for return flights on this sector at 4,098 passenger seats or a 9.67% increase.

Bangkok – Krabi

Increase of 4 flights on 30, 31 December 2005 and 2, 3 January 2006. Total increase of passenger seats for return flights on this sector at 1,194 passenger seats or a 20% increase.

Bangkok – Udon Thani

Increase of 2 flights on 30 December 2005 and 2 January 2006. Total increase of passenger seats for return flights on this sector at 444 passenger seats or a 9.95% increase.

Bangkok –Ubon Ratchathani

Increase of 3 flights on 30 December 2005 and 2, 3 January 2006. Total increase of passenger seats for return flights on this sector at 730 passenger seats or a 12.58% increase.

Bangkok – Khon Kaen

Increase of 1 flight on 31 December 2005. Total increase of passenger seats for return flights on this sector at 222 passenger seats or a 5.41% increase.

Thai Airways' route scrapping opposed
Rumours fly of airline junkets
19 January 2006
Bangkok Post

Political figures, travelling at the taxpayers' expense, are putting Thai Airways International (THAI) under intense pressure to retain several loss-ridden secondary domestic routes.

Senior THAI executives have faced resistance over plans to stop flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat, Mae Hong Son and Trang, where passenger numbers are down to as little as 20% to 30% of capacities.

Typically, a commercial flight needs to fill a figure of between 60% and 70% of seats at least, to break even.

Governors of these provinces, politicians and local trade bodies, have insisted that the national carrier continues to serve the public in their areas because they claim THAI's aircraft and services are more reliable and superior than other carriers.

This has been disputed by industry observers, who allege the politicians are motivated by self-interest because of the privileges they receive on these flights.

Amenities, like a dedicated check-in counter, automatic upgrades to business class, special seat reservations, seat locations and extra baggage allowances would cease alongside THAI's termination of flights to these destinations.

Politicians, including MPs and senators, and senior government officials who fly these routes frequently are most vocal about the retention of these flights for ordinary passengers, observers said.

Recent missions by senior THAI executives led by acting president Somchainuk Engtrakul to Mae Hong Son and Nakhon Si Thammarat to explain why these flights are no longer economical, were not well received, they said.

Politicians and senior government officials were told low-cost carrier Nok Air and other private airlines would service the routes instead.

The THAI executive team led by Mr Somchainuk is expected to receive a similar response by observers, when it meets with the Trang local government today and trade organisations in the southern province.

Under government control, THAI is faced with a dilemma between good business conduct and keeping the powers-that-be happy.

To cut losses, THAI has gradually been reducing flights and establishing a code-share agreement with Nok Air.

This week, THAI began halving its services on the Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat route, reducing its frequency to once-a-day from twice daily.

Under the code-share agreement with Nok Air, THAI passengers are transferred from the flight it has cut back to the lower-cost airline.

Nok Air started serving the Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat flights a few months ago as part of the route handover.

Through code sharing with Nok Air, THAI is able to claim it has not cut back flights, claim observers.

Thai Air Jet Returns To Sweden Due To Unruly Passenger
22 January 2006

STOCKHOLM (AP)--An unruly passenger caused a Thai Airways (THAI.TH) plane to return to Stockholm Saturday, Swedish police said Sunday.

Flight TG961 with 397 people onboard left Stockholm's Arlanda airport in the afternoon and was on its way to Bangkok when a drunk passenger became unruly. Cabin crew and passengers overpowered the 44-year-old man but the pilot decided to return to Stockholm, police spokeswoman Yvonne Lindholm said.

The man was arrested by Arlanda police but was released after questioning, she said.

The Thai Boeing 747 left Arlanda again five hours later.

No one was injured during the incident.

Thai Airways new manager stresses Taiwan commitment
2006/1/24
By William C. Pao The China Post


Thai Airways will continue to commit itself to the Taiwanese market, one of its most important in the Asia Pacific, said Charoenchai Laksanakorn, the company's Taiwan general manager, yesterday.

The airline currently operates 21 weekly flights from Taipei to Bangkok and three from Taipei to Phuket Island via Hong Kong, and the company is thinking about adding more services to accommodate passengers, Laksanakorn said.

"Most Taiwan travelers to Thailand are leisure travelers, and business travelers come in second," said the general manager, who just assumed his post in the beginning of the year. "Leisure travelers are usually part of a package tour, although some of them are individual travelers."

"The Taiwanese are quality passengers," he emphasized.

The number of Taiwan travelers to Thailand declined significantly last year after the tsunami attacks at the end of 2004. That, coupled with the threats of the avian flu and the aftermath of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), has caused a reduction in inbound passengers from Taiwan, who numbered roughly 250,000 last year.

But Laksanakorn assured the number would go up this year.

"We have gradually come out of the shadows of the tsunamis," he said.

The general manager wants to stress that the company offers more products than direct flights to Thailand. It also has direct flights from Taipei to Hong Kong and Seoul, and, being a member of the Star Alliance, the company offers connection flights to major destinations in the world from Bangkok.

"One of my major goals for the Taiwan office is to increase sales, and promoting our services to destinations outside Thailand is an important part of achieving that goal," Laksanakorn said.

The company has recently launched a major overhaul initiative to enhance the image of the company. The project began with a redesign of the airline's corporate identity symbol. While the company has kept the trademark logo -- a flower-like symbol that could represent an orchid, a temple, or other things that people associate Thailand with -- the "Thai" text is now in a different font and in a deeper shade of purple.

Other aspects of the project include the purchasing of five new aircraft, construction of a new Thai Airways lounge in the new Bangkok airport, and refurbishing of first and business classes of Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft.

The new features add to things that Thai Airlines is already famous for, such as food and service.

"We offer a 'Thai touch' to passengers, meaning adding a touch of Thai culture to our service," Laksanakorn said. "All our employees come with a strong willingness to serve."

Biman Bangladesh delays date for THAI takeover
28 January 2006
Bangkok Post

Thai Airways International's management takeover of Shah Amanat International Airport, in Chittagong, Bangladesh, has been delayed following a request from Biman Bangladesh Airlines amid fears of financial losses.

The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry of Bangladesh has informed THAI that the date set for running the airport, Feb 1, would be deferred by at least one month, THAI executives confirmed yesterday.

Bangladesh's internal politics and resistance from Biman officials have caused the delay as they felt that the management of the airport should not be handed over to a foreign organisation.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, said the ministry was reviewing the terms of the 10-year contract with the Thai national carrier at Biman's request.

Biman officials were concerned that they would suffer financial losses if the management of the airport went to THAI.

Some suggested that the problem may put a strain on the relationship between Thailand and Bangladesh, but THAI executives were not surprised by the development, given the political state of the country.

"I think this is one of the internal political problems that many of us expected. We are prepared to give them time to find solutions," THAI vice-president Doosdee Smuthkochorn told the Bangkok Post.

THAI was prepared to make its plans for running the airport clear to Biman officials if so requested, he said.

"It is our plan to outsource certain jobs such as airport cleaning to Biman and local service providers. We are not sending our people to do everything there," said Mr Doosdee.

For the time being, THAI does not view the delay as a breach of contract, but a short-term hiccup that has caused some frustration, he said. "We are not talking about seeking compensation yet."

"Looking at all the circumstances, I have every reason to believe that the Bangladesh authorities have really wanted THAI to help them in running the airport."

Mr Doosdee was optimistic that Bangladesh authorities would be able to clear up the problem within one month.

Running the Shah Amanat airport, under the deal signed on Dec 1 last year, would earn THAI US$9.06 million in fees.

Its scope of work includes handling passenger services, ground equipment, cargo and catering. It will operate, maintain and manage the terminal building, ramp and cargo handling, security, building and preventive maintenance.

In addition, THAI will be responsible for collecting landing and security fees, embarkation and ground-handling fees.

THAI intends to use the airport as a model for future airport-management ventures. It hopes to run small and medium-sized airports in Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, India, the Philippines and Indonesia.

The Bangladesh government chose THAI over the UAE-based Sharjah Civil Aviation Authority in order to avoid losses.

THAI PRESS:Thai Air To Change Fuel Surcharge Structure
30 January 2006

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) will change its fuel surcharge structure for international flights to make the ticket prices more competitive with those of other airlines, reports the Bangkok Post quoting Vasing Kittikul, the company's executive vice-president of commercial affairs.

According to the paper, the national carrier charges flat rates on fuel costs - $25 for short-haul flights and $50 for international flights. The rates will be replaced with a new variable structure depending on the route and the country of destination.

The new surcharge structure will be put in place on Apr. 1, the paper said.

Newspaper Web site : www.bangkokpost.com

Thai Airways Names 4 Qualified Candidates For Pres Post

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) named four preliminary qualified applicants for the post of president, all of whom are executives in the company, in a statement late Monday.

The shortlisted candidates are Chinawut Naressaenee, executive vice president, Customer Services Department; Apinan Sumanaseni, executive vice president, Operations Department; Norahuch Ployyai, executive vice president, Standards and General Administration Department; Supachai Limpisvasti, managing director, Technical Department.


The four applicants will be invited for interviews from Feb. 6 through Feb. 10, the statement said.

The successful candidate will be announced by the end of April, when the term of President Kanok Abhiradee ends.

Kanok was suspended from his managerial duties in August last year just before the airline reported a massive loss for its fiscal third quarter to June 30.

Following the suspension, the airline appointed board member Somchainuk Engtrakul to oversee Kanok's major responsibilities.

Thai Airways passenger load drops in December

BANGKOK, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL said on Wednesday it filled 70.7 percent of its seats in December 2005, down from the same period a year earlier and the previous month.

The national carrier, 54 percent owned by the Finance Ministry, filled 73.2 percent of its seats in December 2004 and 73.0 percent in November 2005, it said on its Web site at www.thaiair.com .

It said demand for travel was lower in December than a year earlier, particularly from Australia, as the region struggled to recover from the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004.

The airline said it carried 1.61 million passengers in December 2005, down from 1.72 million a year earlier and up from 1.56 million in the previous month.

Thai Airways said it filled 65.8 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in December, down from 68.7 percent in the same period a year earlier and 67.9 percent in the previous month.

It carried 4.74 million passengers and filled 67.2 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in the first three months of its current 2005/06 fiscal year ending in September.

That compared with 5.01 million passengers and a 69.7 percent passenger load in the same period a year earlier, it said.

At 0330 GMT, Thai Air shares were up 0.6 percent at 40.50 baht, while the broader market <.SETI> was 0.3 percent lower.

Rival Singapore Airlines , the world's second-most valuable airline, said it filled 70.9 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in December, up from 68.3 percent a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said it carried 1.41 million passengers in December, up 10.9 percent from a year earlier.

AVIATION / THAI AIRWAYS PRESIDENCY
Classmate of PM said to be front-runner

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
Norahuch Ployyai, an executive vice-president at Thai Airways International (THAI), is tipped as the front-runner among the four candidates shortlisted to seek the president's post at the national carrier. All four candidates chosen from a pool of 12 screened by the selection committee are senior THAI executives. The committee headed by THAI chairman Wanchai Sarathulthat will interview the final contenders starting next Monday.


Norahuch: 27-year airline veteran

Mr Norahuch, a flight officer who oversees quality and safety standards as well as crisis management for the airline, is seen as having an edge partly due to his personal relationship with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

A 27-year veteran of the airline, Mr Norahuch, 55, was a classmate of Mr Thaksin at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.

All four candidates, who are ex-Air Force officers and have worked for the airline for at least 20 years, were well-qualified, according to airline insiders.

The other three candidates are Chinawut Naressaenee, executive vice-president for customer services; Apinan Sumanaseni, executive vice-president for operations; and Supachai Limpisvasti, managing director for the technical department.

However, some airline executives remain disappointed that THAI could not attract a wider pool of outsiders to seek the job, even after extending the application deadline by another three weeks beyond Dec 30.

Among those who had been courted were MCOT Plc president Mingkwan Sangsuwan, PTT chief financial officer Pichai Chunhavajira, and Stock Exchange of Thailand president Kittiratt Na Ranong.

THAI is viewed as a difficult organisation to manage, partly due to the influential and well-entrenched factions within the 26,000-employee enterprise and the complexity of its operations.

The eight outside applicants included Teerasak Suwannayos, the acting president of the Islamic Bank of Thailand; sugar industry executive Jatupon Ruangwiset; and a westerner who used to work for Lufthansa.

The final decision on who will succeed outgoing president Kanok Abhiradee will rest with Mr Thaksin, on the recommendation of Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, officials say.

Mr Kanok, a marketing expert before he joined THAI, was stripped of management powers last August after the airline made its biggest quarterly loss in five years. His term is due to expire in May.
Wednesday February 01, 2006
http://www.bangkokpost.com

Thai Airways to suspend flights from Australia to holiday isle of Phuket

BANGKOK, Jan 31, 2006 (AFP) - Thai Airways International said Tuesday it would suspend direct flights from Australia to Thailand's holiday isle of Phuket due to sluggish demand in tourism after the December 2004 tsunami.

Thailand's national carrier said the move would be effective from Wednesday.

"Since the tsunami, demand has been very low. The number of passengers is not so high," said a company spokeswoman who declined to be named. The company used to run three flights per week from Sydney and Melbourne to Phuket.

Tourism accounts for six percent of Thailand's gross domestic product, and memories of the devastating tsunami which killed nearly 5,400 people in the country still linger.

THAI to start local airline
9 February 2006
The Nation (Thailand)

Thai Airways International Plc plans to set up a domestic airline called Euarng Luang this year to cater to high-end passengers, while it will focus on international routes. The new carrier will be THAI's second, following Nok Air, which operates low-cost flights on mainly domestic routes.

It will be entirely owned by THAI, unlike Nok Air, which has other shareholders.

THAI chairman Wanchai Sarathulthat said yesterday that Euarng Luang would serve domestic passengers who prefer premium services. It is expected to start operating from Don Muang airport after Suvarnabhumi Airport opens, possibly in the second half of this year.

Euarng Luang would turn THAI back to the era when the Finance Ministry owned two airlines - Thai Airways and Thai International - for local and international markets, respectively. The airlines were merged some 15 years ago.

Like other airlines, THAI needs to refine its strategies more often. This will be the main task of the new THAI president.

Yesterday, the four candidates were interviewed on five questions covering management strategies, marketing strategies, organisation administration, revenue-generating measures and cost-reduction plans. They were given a week to hand in their proposals, after which they will be called in for another interview. The result will be known next month.

A source close to the recruiting committee said if none of them is qualified, Somchainuk Engtrakul would stay on as acting president until the company can find a permanent replacement.

The candidates are all THAI insiders - Chinawut Naressaenee, executive vice president for customer services; Apinan Sumanaseni, EVP for operations; Norahuch Ployyai, EVP for standards and general administration; and Supachai Limpisvasti, managing director of the technical department.

Thai Airways to open direct flights to South Africa

BANGKOK, Feb 22, 2006 (AFP) - Flag carrier Thai Airways International said Wednesday it would launch direct flights from Bangkok to Johannesburg, South Africa, in October due to rising demand.

"Johannesburg is the hub of air travelling in Africa. It is a good connection and we can get passengers from North and East Africa," said Wallop Bhukkanasut, vice president of the airline's sales and distribution department.

The airline will operate three direct flights per week from the Thai capital to Johannesburg, Wallop said, adding the company would increase the number of direct flights from Bangkok to New York and Los Angeles in September as well.

Thai Airways currently operates four flights per week from Bangkok to New York and three flights per week to Los Angeles.

Tourism accounts for six percent of Thailand's gross domestic product and the government forecast some 13.6 million foreign tourists would visit the kingdom in 2006.

Sources: thaiaviation.net / Thai Airways

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Source: Thai Airways

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Source: Thai Airways

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Thai Airways still undecided on creating new carrier

ZURICH, April 7, 2006 (AFP) - Thailand's flag carrier Thai Airways International has yet to decide whether to launch a new domestic airline in its home market, a senior executive said on Friday.

"It's still in the planning stage. It's not yet finalised," Thai Airway's vice-president Vasing Kittikul told AFP.

Two months ago, Thai Airways had confirmed that it was conducting a feasibility study to create a new airline offering a more luxurious service than Thailand's existing low-cost carrier, Nok Air, in which Thai Airways holds a 39 percent stake.

News reports in February in Thailand had said that the new airline, to be called Thai Orchid, would start operations this year and would be wholly owned by Thai Airways.

"So far there has not yet been a discussion in detail among the board of directors," said Vasing on Friday on the sidelines of a meeting in Switzerland of the Star Alliance, the 16-airline group of which Thai Airways is a member.

Vasing said that the very existence of Nok Air was "one of the reasons" for the hesitation.

He added: "We feel that the domestic lines, the primary routes like to Phuket, to Chiang Mai and other southern parts, we will fly on our own because it's good connectivity" for passengers arriving on international flights.

"But for the other secondary routes, we are thinking of letting Nok Air succeed us and fly on behalf of us."

"To reduce the cost of operating domestically we have to think carefully, and we feel that the domestic point-to-point is better served by Nok Air, whereas, when connecting, it's better to be served by Thai," he said.

Vasing said that Thai Airways was likely to make a final decision after the opening of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is due later this year.

News reports in Thailand have said that any new carrier was likely to operate from the existing Don Muang airport, which will be superseded by Suvarnabhumi.

Vasing also said that Thai Airways could consider using Nok Air "as a fighting brand to fly to low-cost destination overseas."

Phuket's future 'hinges on renewed direct flights'
13 April 2006
The Nation

The Laguna Phuket Sheraton has asked Thai Airways International to restore direct flights to the island to pre-tsunami levels, as the hotel says it lost 15 per cent of its visitors last year as a result of reduced air traffic.

Kylie Brajak, marketing director for the hotel, said the drop in visitors was caused mainly by the elimination of flights from Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia, which are three major regional sources of visitors to the island.

She said this was hurting the hotel most acutely this month, when the majority of visitors are usually from Asia and Australia.

Brajak said tourists from South Korea and Hong Kong considered Phuket a favourite weekend destination, while Australians enjoyed the island's low cost of living.

She said the reduction in direct flights had forced visitors to spend more time travelling, with trips taking four hours longer from Hong Kong and six hours longer from Australia after changing planes in Bangkok.

Jan Kirstein, general manager of the 3,000-rai, five-hotel Laguna Phuket complex, which includes the Sheraton, said the issue had been discussed THAI several times, without a resolution.

He said Phuket's future as a regional tourist magnet depended on the airline.

Currently, the Sheraton is relying mainly on European visitors, who were the major holiday-makers during the first quarter of this year. The major corporate customers are Russian, German, Australian, Singaporean and Thai, and the hotel expects to hold 70 business events this year.

Laguna Phuket consists of five hotels - Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket, Dusit Laguna Phuket, Laguna Beach Resort and Allamanda Laguna Phuket.

Kirstein said the hotel complex would achieve 80-per-cent occupancy during the next two weeks, adding that the Sheraton would open 420 more rooms this year.

Thai Airways to pick new boss amid oil, competition pressure

BANGKOK, April 17, 2006 (AFP) - Flag carrier Thai Airways International is set to pick a new president on Tuesday amid pressure from soaring global oil prices and cut-throat competition from low-budget airlines.

Thai Airways has been hunting for the new chief since August last year when it suspended Kanok Abhiradee after incurring its worst-ever quarterly loss totalling 4.78 billion baht (117 million dollars) in the three months to June in 2005.

The company said it would pick the new president from four internal candidates at Tuesday's board meeting.

"Tuesday's meeting is the last meeting for selecting the new president," said Thai Airways spokeswoman Sompradtana Prakobsantisuk, but warned the board may not announce its decision immediately.

Analysts said the new boss must quickly tackle pressing problems of high oil prices and intense competition from low-cost rivals in the regional market.

"Oil is the biggest challenge for the company. About 30 to 40 percent of the company's operational costs is oil," said Sukbir Khanijoh, an economist at Trinity Securities.

On Monday, oil prices hit 70 dollars a barrel in Asian trade amid concerns over tight US gasoline stocks and continued fears the United States could launch military strikes against Iran, the world's fourth-biggest oil producer.

Soaring fuel prices slashed Thai Airways' net profit by 33.36 percent to 3.81 billion baht (96.79 million dollars) in the three months to December.

Apart from oil, Choosak Ratanachaichan, an economist at Kasikorn Research Center, said Thai Airways was facing tough competition from low-budget airlines in the Southeast Asian market.

"Like any other airline, severe competition from low-cost carriers has affected Thai Airways. They are eating up the market share of traditional airlines," Choosak said.

In Thailand, Thai Airways faces competition from Thai AirAsia, a Thai unit of Malaysia's budget airline AirAsia, and from Singapore budget carrier Tiger Airways in the regional market.

"Competition is another biggest challenge for Thai Airways. We are seeing very, very tough competition. The number of routes, particularly within the region, has been taken over by low-cost airlines," Trinity's Sukbir said.

Sukbir added the Thai national carrier was also saddled with internal management problems.

"One of the biggest problems of Thai Airways is that there is a lot of political interference," he said, pointing out that the finance ministry is the airline's biggest shareholder with a 54.21-percent stake.

"As the biggest shareholder, they are always trying to have a say over policy. Whether purchasing new fleet or making new investment, there's been always political interference, causing a delay in the decision-making."

While searching for the new president, Thai Airways has asked Somchainuk Engtrakul, a former permanent secretary of the finance ministry, to take charge as acting president.

Because of government's meddling, Thai Airways has lagged behind regional rivals such as Singapore Airlines and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways in the area of acquiring new aircraft, Sukbir said.

But the analyst said the government was unlikely to reduce its ownership of Thai Airways due to the current political climate in Bangkok.

"People are strongly against the government's selling of state enterprises," Sukbir said, referring to anti-privatization groups which had joined street protests that had pushed Thaksin Shinawatra out of office in early April.

They are opposed to the outgoing premier's privatization drive and lobbied against the government's plan to partially privatize the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Thailand's largest state enterprise.

A Thai court in March ruled against the privatization of EGAT, saying the energy giant's planned initial public offering would be politically influenced.

"The climate for privatizing Thai Airways is not favorable right now," Sukbir said.

Thai Airways names former pilot as new boss

BANGKOK, April 18, 2006 (AFP) - Flag carrier Thai Airways International on Tuesday named a former pilot to take the helm of the company, amid pressure from soaring global oil prices and cut-throat competition from low-budget airlines.

Apinan Sumanaseni, 56, will become the new president from May 1 under a four-year contract, and the airline whose biggest shareholder is the finance ministry insisted the decision was made independently.

The appointment of Apinan came as global oil prices soared to new highs amid concerns over possible military conflict between the United States and Iran.

"We have to face this challenge to deal with rising oil prices. Every airline is facing the same situation," Apinan told a news conference.

Crude oil prices in New York and London were rising to nearly 71 dollars per barrel on Tuesday.

Asked about intense competition from low-budget carriers, Apinan said the company would create a new airline solely aimed at the domestic market to compete against low-cost rivals.

"It's urgent for Thai Airways to set up a domestic airline to keep us competitive in the domestic market. The new airline will try to serve a market between low-budget carriers and premium airlines," he said, but gave no details.

Apinan admitted there had been government meddling in the company's decision-making. The finance ministry alone holds a 54.21-percent stake in Thai Airways.

But he vowed to restructure the management to speed up decision-making.

"The organization is too big and our decision-making is slow. I will restructure our management so that we can reach decisions quickly," Apinan said.

Somsak Srinual, president of Thai Airways' 13,000-strong union, welcomed Apinan's appointment.

"Everybody in Thai Airways was waiting for today. When we have a new leader who has worked for the company for over 30 years, I don't think he will betray our company," Somsak told AFP. Apinan joined Thai Airways in 1975.

Saknarin Sasanonda, an airline analyst at Siam City Securities, said Apinan's foremost task is to cope with skyrocketing jet fuel prices.

"Oil is the bigggest and the most important problem for Thai Airways. To cope with this problem, the new president may have to increase the fuel surcharge," Saknarin said.

Soaring fuel prices slashed Thai Airways' net profit by 33.36 percent to 3.81 billion baht (96.79 million dollars) in the three months to December.

Apinan said the company would make some profit in the three months to March but declined to give figures.

Thai Airways has been hunting for the new chief since last August when it suspended Kanok Abhiradee after incurring its worst-ever quarterly loss totalling 4.78 billion baht (117 million dollars) in the three months to June 2005.

Apart from oil, Thai Airways faces severe competition from Thai AirAsia, a Thai unit of Malaysia's budget airline AirAsia, in the domestic market, and from Singapore budget carrier Tiger Airways in the regional market.

"Competition is another big challenge for Thai Airways. We are seeing very, very tough competition," said Sukbhir Khanijoh, an economist at Trinity Securities.

Shares in Thai Airways fell 1.25 points or 2.53 percent to close at 48.25 baht Tuesday before the announcement.

Thai Airways to boost flights to Europe, US

BANGKOK, April 26, 2006 (AFP) - Flag carrier Thai Airways plans to boost the number of its flights to Europe and the United States, but warned Wednesday it may also increase its fuel surcharge to offset the soaring price of jet fuel.

The company also said it would expand its services in China, India and Japan as part of its strategy to battle stiff competition from low-cost carriers.

Fuel costs account for up to 40 percent of the carrier's overall expenses, the company's vice president Vasing Kittikul told reporters.

"We are considering increasing the fuel surcharge on both international and domestic flights. The adjustment might begin in mid-May or early June," Vasing said.

The company will determine the amount of the increase this week, he added.

Speaking at the company's headquarters, Vasing said Thai Airways would strengthen its international routes through competitive pricing and closer partnership with business alliances including co-chairing and aircraft swap.

"Cost cutting is a part of Thai's proactive strategy to deal with intensified competition, especially the arrival of low-cost airlines," he told reporters.

The airline plans to increase its direct, non-stop flights from Bangkok to Los Angeles from four to six in June 2007.

The company will buy new aircraft to increase the number of its flights to New York, which is normally 80 percent booked, within five years, he added.

"London, Frankfurt and Paris are the main European destinations where we will increase the frequency of flights, while making turnaround flights to secondary markets such as Rome and Madrid," said Vasing.

In Asia, the airline plans to increase its flights to Madras, Bangalore, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Nagoya and Fukuoka, he added.

A new direct flight to Johannesburg will also begin later this year.

The airline's incoming president Somchainuk Engtrakul said that despite high oil prices, Thai expects much better operating results in its second quarter, which ended in March. It has yet to release figures for the quarter.

Soaring fuel prices slashed Thai Airways' net profit by 33.36 percent to 3.81 billion baht (96.79 million dollars) in the three months to December.

Apart from oil, Thai Airways faces severe competition from Thai AirAsia, a Thai unit of Malaysia's budget airline AirAsia, in the domestic market, and from Singapore budget carrier Tiger Airways in the regional market.

Thai, Bangkok airways move toward code-share on China routes

BANGKOK, April 27, 2006 (AFP) - National carrier Thai Airways and Thailand's biggest private airline Bangkok Airways said Thursday they will form a new code-share agreement on routes to six Chinese cities.

The deal would also extend to the Thai resort island of Samui, where Bangkok Airways built and owns the only airport and maintains a monopoly on flights there, the companies said in a statement.

The companies said they expect to finalize the details of the code-share agreement within two months, covering routes to the Chinese cities of Xixuangbanna, Xian, Guilin, Zhengzhou, Hangzhou and Shenzhen.

The two carriers also agreed to develop joint marketing efforts.

Thai Airways named a new president last week as part of its drive battle growing fuel costs and stiff competition from low-cost carriers.

The company Wednesday announced plans to boost its number of flights to Europe and the United States, as well as expanding services to China, India and Japan.

Thai Airways announces new airline to battle budget rivals

BANGKOK, May 2, 2006 (AFP) - Flag carrier Thai Airways announced plans Tuesday for a new airline on domestic and regional flights as part of its strategy to combat cut-throat competition from budget rivals.

The airline, called Euarng Luang, will target the mid-range market and start flying later this year within Thailand and to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, said Thai Airways new president Apinan Sumanaseni.

"It will take about two months to set up a new company that will operate flights for domestic (routes) and neighboring countries," he said.

Euarng Luang, which means Royal Orchid, will be positioned differently from Nok Air, Thai Airways' low-cost subsidiary, and be aimed at drawing customers from premium and budget rivals, he said.

"Euarng Luang is targeted to serve the markets between premium and low-cost airlines," Apinan, whose appointment took effect Monday, told reporters.

Euarng Luang will fly from Bangkok's existing Don Muang airport before moving to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport which is expected to open after much delay by the end of the year.

Apinan, a former pilot, was named as the new president last month to head the carrier's battle against growing fuel costs and stiff competition from budget and low-cost carriers.

The company also said Tuesday it would raise its fuel surcharges by 25 percent on domestic flights in the next two weeks and the beginning of June on international flights, to reflect the higher fuel costs.

Apinan said that despite high fuel prices, the carrier expected better results this year than in 2005 on the back of increased bookings. Some 74 percent of seats were filled in April, up from 71 percent for the same time last year, he said.

"We are targeting total revenue of 180 billion baht (4.79 billion dollars) this year, up from 160 billion baht as originally forecast, with higher profits," he said without giving further details.

The company has already revealed plans to boost its number of flights to Europe and the United States, as well as expanding services to China, India and Japan. A code-share agreement with private airline Bangkok Airways was announced last week on routes to six Chinese cities.

I wonder what pricepoints the new airline will have, and if the services will be differentiated enough from Nok Air and Thai.

THAI profit jumps 78% on forex gain

More flyers help offset high fuel costs

Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) has reported a 78% year-on-year rise in its second-quarter net profit as higher passenger traffic and a foreign-exchange gain outweighed surging fuel costs.

The national carrier said its net profit rose to 6.21 billion baht, or 3.65 baht per share, in the quarter to March 31 from 3.49 billion baht a year earlier.


The result was at the low end of a profit range of 6-7 billion baht forecast by four analysts polled by Reuters.


The solid second quarter lifted half-year earnings to 10 billion baht, up ninefold from a year earlier, and met the airline's full-financial year target to September.


Analysts said that although the quarterly profit looked strong, it did not come from core operations, while oil prices remained a burden.


''The profit is below our expectations and it is mainly due to a forex gain which is difficult to predict. We expect a weaker second half because of the low season and high oil prices,'' Asia Plus Securities said in a research note.


The broker had forecast a net profit of 6.7 billion baht and recommended a short-term sell on the stock.


THAI shares closed yesterday on the SET at 47.25 baht, up 25 satang, in trade worth 99.18 million baht.


The stock has risen 7.4% so far this year, underperforming the 9.7% rise in the SET index.


Thai Airways said it had a foreign-exchange gain of 3.86 billion baht in the March quarter against a 713-million-baht gain a year earlier.


Most of its $3.3-billion long-term debt is in dollars and yen, which dipped more than 5% against the baht in the quarter.


The airline said its passenger load factor rose to 76.7% in its March quarter from 70.6% a year earlier when tourism struggled to recover from the 2004 tsunami.


Revenue rose 19% in the quarter from a year earlier, but costs rose nearly 20%, due mainly to a 60% rise in fuel costs.


While many Asian airlines have seen passenger numbers recovering, its earnings outlook remains hostage to high fuel costs.


Earlier this week, Japan Airlines, Asia's number four carrier by market value, posted a full-year operating loss as oil prices hit. Singapore Airlines, the world's number two carrier by market value, faced its fifth straight quarter of lower profits.


Thai Airways said jet fuel accounted for more than 30% of costs but it had levied a fuel surcharge on ticket prices to claw back some of the increases. It has hedged about 20% of fuel use.


The 46-year-old airline is still optimistic, with chairman Somchainuk Engtrakul forecasting average seat occupancy of 75% in the current year, up from 71%.


The 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne would attract more visitors, he said.REUTERS

Source : Bangkokpost : May 12, 2006

Thai Airways passenger load rises in March

BANGKOK, June 2 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL said on Friday it filled 75.8 percent of its seats in March, up from the same month of 2005 but down from February.

The national carrier, 54 percent owned by the Finance Ministry, filled 71.9 percent of its seats in March 2005 and 78.4 percent in February this year, it said on its Web site at www.thaiair.com .

The airline said it carried 1.55 million passengers in March 2006, up from 1.54 million a year earlier and 1.50 million in February.

Thai Airways said it filled 69.7 percent of passenger and cargo capacity in March, up from 68.7 percent in the same period a year earlier and 69.2 percent in February.

It carried 9.42 million passengers and had a 67.8 percent load factor in the first six months of its 2005/06 fiscal year ending in September.

That compared with 9.35 million passengers and a 68.1 percent load factor in the same period a year earlier, it said.

At 0900 GMT, Thai Air shares were down 0.56 percent at 44.75 baht, while the broader market <.SETI> was 1.3 percent higher.

Rival Singapore Airlines , the world's second most valuable airline, said it filled 67.7 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in April, up from 65.8 percent a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said it carried 1.39 million passengers in April, up 14.6 percent from a year earlier.

Thai Carrier Announces Non-Stop Flights To South Africa
2 June 2006

BANGKOK (AP)--Thai Airways International (THAI.TH) announced it will offer nonstop flights between Bangkok and Johannesburg, South Africa, a regional sales director said Friday.

The service, which will start in November, is expected to address demand for business travel from gem and precious metal dealers as well as increased tourism, said Dullayapong Sukhanusas, Thai Airway regional sales director for Europe and Africa.

The nonstop flights will run three times a week and are expected to also attract regional businessmen from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines, he said.

"Advanced bookings have already reach between 30% and 40% for November and December," Dullayapong said. "The passenger load for the first month will be satisfactory."

The flights will start with a promotional rate in November of THB30,000 ($785) and are part of Thai Airways long-haul business strategy and follow the recent opening of nonstop flights from Bangkok to New York, Moscow and Los Angeles.

Thailand's national carrier will use two, Boeing B777-200ER aircraft for the 11-hour flights which are its first ever nonstop flights to Africa. The new aircraft seat 292 passengers.

Today (May 31, 2006), TAP Portugal and Thai Airways International - members of Star Alliance – signed a commercial cooperation agreement encompassing code-share operations on select flights between Portugal and Thailand.

Through this code-share, effective on June 15, 2006, both THAI and TAP will market each other’ s flights connecting Lisbon and Bangkok via select European points.

With this code-share, TAP is now able to extend its operations to a new Asian destination, thus pursuing its strategy of increasing travel options made available to customers, while providing them with the most convenient services and added benefits resulting from a close cooperation with Star Alliance members.

THAI is pleased to be able to offer its passengers more choices and access to more destinations in Europe, as a result of this code-share agreement with TAP. This agreement will successfully aid in expanding connectivity into Lisbon, which will represent a new point of service to Portugal, made possible from THAI’ s connection with Star Alliance.

“Eight years after having discontinued our own operations to Bangkok, it is with great pleasure that we at TAP reinstate Bangkok as a destination in Asia, in cooperation with THAI”, said Mr. José Guedes Dias, VP International Relations & Alliances, TAP Portugal. “It means a great deal for us in TAP to work together with THAI, our partner in Star Alliance, recognized worldwide for its excellent, courteous and unrivalled service. As this agreement enables the most convenient and direct connections possible between Portugal and Thailand, it will set the ground for further strengthening the commercial and cultural ties linking both countries, while positioning both Lisbon and Bangkok as key gateways into Europe and Asia, respectively.”

“THAI initiated this code-share agreement with TAP, following TAP officially joining Star Alliance, expanding connections from Bangkok to Lisbon, vice versa, from various destinations in Europe”, said Mr. Vasing Kittikul, Executive Vice President for Commercial, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. “This agreement reflects a great opportunity to expand THAI’ s network beyond the European gateway, connecting flights from Frankfurt and Zurich into Lisbon. Furthermore, this agreement will benefit passengers boarding flights in Portugal to Thailand, continuing their journey around Asia and China”.

About TAP Portugal

TAP Portugal is the leading Portuguese airline, which celebrated its 60th on March 14, 2005, the same day it also became a company-member of Star Alliance. Its Lisbon hub is a key European gateway at the crossroads of the African, North & South American continents, where TAP stands out as the leading European carrier operating to Brazil.

TAP ’s current Network comprises 46 destinations in 27 countries worldwide, with an even greater range of destinations served by code-share operations with a number of partner airlines. Thus, TAP offers customers an extended and high flexible choice while providing them with the most convenient scheduled flights and easy connectivity onto further distant cities. As of June, the company operates 200 daily flights in average on a modern fleet of 47 Airbus aircraft – the A-310’s; A-330’s & A-340’s on long haul and the A-319’s; A-320’s & A-321’s on medium haul.

TAP Portugal’ s New Corporate Image, launched on February 1st last year, was awarded the 2005 Best Branding and Re-branding, by the Portuguese specialized publication “Meios & Publicidade”, in May 2006. The TAP Victoria (FFP) Programme was also honoured by the Freddie Awards as the Programme of the Year; Best Redemption Award and Best Member Communications, in 2005. For more information on TAP Portugal please visit its Web site at: www.flytap.com.

About Thai Airways International

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand. Founded in 1960, it operates domestic, regional and intercontinental flights. THAI flies to 74 destinations in 35 countries around the world. The company is 53.77% owned by the Thai Government through the Ministry of Finance. THAI has over 25,000 employees and a total of 87 aircraft in its fleet.

THAI’s philosophy is to provide full service to premium passengers, while maintaining its standard of service to leisure travellers. THAI aims to be the “First Choice Carrier with Touches of Thai”. The success of THAI is apparent through numerous customer surveys conducted by well-known institutions both within and outside Thailand, resulting in awards such as the Skytrax Award for Cabin Staff Service Excellence 2006. Safety is THAI’ s top priority and its maintenance standard is recognized by the Federal Avaition Administration (FAA) of the USA and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

THAI is one of the founding members of Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth. More information on THAI is available at www.thaiairways.com.

Thai Airways domestic flight makes safe emergency landing after landing-gear problem
3 July 2006

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - A Thai Airways domestic flight with 251 on board made an emergency landing in Bangkok Monday after the plane experienced problems with its landing gear, the airline said.

The flight's captain decided to turn the plane around 30 minutes after it took off from Bangkok because he could not properly retract one of the Airbus 300-600's wheels, the airline said.

The flight had been bound for Khon Kaen, 390 kilometers (242 miles) northeast of the capital.

The passengers were transferred to another plane and reached their destination about one and a half hours late, it said.

The airline said the plane was about 20 years old, and was scheduled to soon be phased out of the Thai fleet.

Thai Airways Scraps Plan for New Low-Cost Carrier

CHIANG RAI, July 10 Asia Pulse - Thai Airways International's (SET:THAI) board of directors has given the go ahead to scrap a plan to set up another low-cost subsidiary.
Instead of setting up another subsidiary - to have been called Royal Orchid Airlines - THAI will instead plan to compete directly with low-cost carriers, considering that it is already a major shareholder in Nok Air, a domestic low-cost carrier, according to the national carrier's president, Apinan Sumanaseranee.

Speaking to reporters after the Board meeting, Mr. Apinan said another low-cost airline is unnecessary as THAI owns 39 per cent of Nok Air. In addition, once Suvarnabhumi International Airport opens in September 28, it will become an aviation hub accommodating many charter carriers.

With these considerations, Permanent Secretary for Transport Wanchai Sarathuntat, who chairs the THAI board, acknowledged and approved the decision.

The plan for THAI to form an added budget subsidiary was initiated by caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal who thought that THAI should optimise business opportunities with the potential of the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Permanent Secretary for Transport said THAI is now devising new strategies on staying competitive against the low-cost carrier sector by expanding more options via internet booking.

Thai Airways to manage Bangladesh's second international airport
6 August 2006

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Bangladesh and Thailand agreed Sunday that Thai Airways International will manage Bangladesh's second international airport starting next month, visiting Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said.

Kantathi told reporters after talks in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, that he and Bangladesh Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan also agreed to bolster cooperation in bilateral trade and investment, tourism, shipping, transport, health, agriculture, textiles and energy.

Thailand's national carrier will take over management of Shah Amanat International Airport in the southeastern port city of Chittagong from Sept. 1, and the number of regular flights between the two countries will rise when a new airport opens in the Thai capital, Bangkok, later that month, Kantathi said.

"We can have an open sky between us," he said.

Kantathi and Khan also signed a five-year agreement on cultural exchanges, but no information on that deal was immediately available.

In 2004-05, Thai exports to Bangladesh were worth US$326 million, while Bangladesh's exports to Thailand totaled only US$35 million.

Thai Airways passenger load rises in June

BANGKOK, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Thai Airways International PCL <THAI.BK> said on Tuesday it filled 74.9 percent of its seats in June, up from the same month of 2005 and from May.

The national carrier, 54 percent owned by the Finance Ministry, said on its Web site at www.thaiair.com it filled 67.2 percent of its seats in June 2005 and 71.3 percent in May.

The airline said it carried 1.45 million passengers in June 2006, up from 1.36 million a year earlier but down from 1.47 million in May.

Thai Airways said it filled 68.4 percent of passenger and cargo capacity (load factor) in June, up from 64.2 percent in the same period a year earlier and 65.5 percent in May.

It carried 13.95 million passengers and had a 74.3 percent load factor in the first nine months of its 2005/06 fiscal year ending in September.

That compared with 13.55 million passengers and a 70.5 percent load factor in the same period a year earlier, it said.

At 0451 GMT, Thai Air shares were up 0.6 percent at 41 baht, while the broader market <.SETI> was 0.5 percent higher.

Rival Singapore Airlines <SIAL.SI>, the world's second most valuable airline, said it filled 68.9 percent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in June, up from 66.6 percent a year earlier.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific <0293.HK> said it carried 1.39 million passengers in June, up 10.7 percent from a year earlier.

Thai Airways pins hopes on successful switch to the new airport

BANGKOK, Sept 24, 2006 (AFP) - Flag carrier Thai Airways International has pinned its hopes on a successful transition to Bangkok's new airport, aiming to cement its rebound from a disastrous 2005 after the Indian Ocean tsunami.

The airline has already invested 400 million US dollars in its facilities at Suvarnabhumi airport, boasting Asia's largest aircraft maintenance center and tripling its cargo facilities.

In early September, it started gradually shifting equipment and 15,000 staff from its old offices at Don Muang airport to Suvarnabhumi.

The carrier even began operating domestic flights at the new airport two weeks before the official opening on September 28 to test its ability to get passengers from the check-in counters, onto planes and into the air.

Despite last week's bloodless coup that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, airline officials say their confidence has not dimmed and they have not changed any of their plans.

Now Thai Airways needs for things to go smoothly -- both at the airport and in Thailand's government -- as the airline competes against a host of others for future customers.

"The smooth transition to Suvarnabhumi airport is important for us to expand our business further," said Thai Airways president Apinan Sumanaseni.

"We will have much larger facilities at the new home base to serve the expected rising tourism demand," he added.

"So far, only one to two percent of bookings have been cancelled" because of the coup, Apinan said.

Thailand's tourism authority expects almost 14 million international visitors to come to the kingdom this year, up 13 percent from 2005.

The new airport could drive arrivals up to 15 million in 2007, tourism officials say.

"With the new airport opening, more international tourists would be encouraged to fly to Thailand, making the kingdom the gateway to Asia," Apinan told AFP.

Thai Airways needs this boost after posting its worst-ever quarterly losses last year as Thailand's entire tourism sector reeled in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

The carrier lost about 127 million dollars in the three months to June 2005, airline officials said.

But Thai Airways has seen a slow recovery on the back of a tourism rebound, returning a profit of 12.5 million dollars with a 13.4 percent increase in revenue in the three months to June, compared with the same period last year.

"The new airport could help boost the airline's flight revenues, as well as its other activities such as ground and maintenance services," said Paveena Chevananth, a transportation analyst at Phatra Securities.

The carrier has already reached agreements with 75 other airlines to use its ground-handling services at the new airport.

Thai Airways has targeted a 7.0 percent rise in revenue in 2007 to build on expected revenues of 4.3 billion dollars this year, Paveena said.

But analysts warn that Thai Airways will face stiff competition from rivals at the new airport.

Japan Airlines plans to add one more daily flight to the existing four between Bangkok and Tokyo after the new airport opens, while Australia's budget Jetstar Airways will start two flights -- Bangkok to Melbourne and Phuket to Sydney -- three times a week from late November.

"Airlines which so far have limited flights to Thailand are likely to increase their frequencies. Consequently, Thai Airways would face tougher competition to draw more passengers," Phatra Securities' Paveena said.

Analysts say passenger demand for Thai Airways is forecast to grow at 11 percent this year, but only 6.8 percent for 2007 and 5.0 percent the following year as other carriers ramp up operations at Suvarnabhumi.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways' operational costs are expected to increase by as much as 455 million dollars next year, including fuel and oil costs, Phatra Securities said.

But Thai Airways says it expects to save and time and money with a more efficiently run airport. Pilots are regularly forced to circle the current congested airport and spend a long time taxiing on the tarmac.

The airline says it expects to save more than 26 million dollars in fuel costs.

Thai Airways sacks executive over luggage mess at new airport

BANGKOK, Sept 29, 2006 (AFP) - Flag carrier Thai Airways International said Friday it has sacked an executive over hours-long luggage delays on the opening day of Bangkok's new international airport.

"The luggage problem was caused by internal management disorders at Thai Airways. We have already sacked a top person in charge of handling luggage," airline president Apinan Sumanaseni told AFP.

Suvarnabhumi airport officially opened on Thursday, with more than 800 flights carrying 120,000 travellers passing through the glitzy three-billion-dollar airport on the first day.

However, the new airport was flooded with complaints from disgruntled international passengers who had to wait for hours to collect their luggage.

Airports of Thailand, which operates Suvarnabhumi, blamed Thai Airways for causing long delays.

"Luggage handling equipment from Thai Airways did not arrive on time and some luggage handlers from the airline did not even show up at the airport," said Chotisak Aspaviriya, president of the airport operator.

"The airline must look after problems for passengers," he said.

The Asssociation of Thai Travel Agents, an umbrella group of 1,200 Thai travel agencies and hotels, also urged airport authorities to fix any problems as soon as possible.

"I have no idea why the new airport had such major delays. I hope airport authorities will fix any problems quickly to shore up the image of our new airport," said Sawas Napol, the association's coordinator.

The general manager of Suvarnabhumi, Somchai Sawasdeepon, said all operations, including luggage handling, went smoothly on Friday.

"So far we have smooth operations on the second day. To me, the disorders seen yesterday (Thursday) were normal and acceptable for a new airport," Somchai said.

The airline's chief, Apinan, also said he received no reports of problems on Friday when another 800 flights were expected to pass through.

The airport, located 25 kilometres (15 miles) east of Bangkok, replaced the creaking Don Muang, which had handled about 37 million passengers per year -- two million more than it was designed for.

Suvarnabhumi has annual passenger capacity of 45 million, making it Southeast Asia's largest aviation hub. Once the new facility becomes fully operational, Thailand plans to expand it to accommodate 100 million per year.

Suvarnabhumi, which means "Golden Land" in Thai, has been under development for more than 40 years and suffered repeated delays due to construction problems and graft allegations.

Thailand hopes the new airport, which opened at the start of the peak tourist season, will boost the country's 12-billion-dollar a year tourism industry.

But industry officials have voiced concern that some of the 14 million visitors expected this year might delay their travel plans, scared off by last week's bloodless coup, which ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

NEW LAUNCH! GREETIN TO THAI 777-200ER with config Royal silk 30,EconomY 262.

http://static.flickr.com/100/273512870_66f3c6f8de_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/99/273512872_c29d804eb9_o.jpg

"New Cabin atmosphere,New Style"
==New ROYAL SILK style with 19" PTV AVOD==
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a145/mao_sky/dsc4490ks2.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a145/mao_sky/dsc4488id9.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a145/mao_sky/dsc4461dy0.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a145/mao_sky/dsc4457jz5.jpg

isn't that cool?

==Following with ECONOMY with PTV AVOD==
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a145/mao_sky/dsc4454mn6.jpg

Source : pantip.com,thaiflight.com

looks great ;]

The seats on the first picture looks so ugly! But the other are great!
they are the same.

oh mt. these are so cool

The colors on Thai looks great!

Thai Air Sees $5B Rev This FY, Fuel Costs To Jump
16 November 2007

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thai Airways International PCL (THAI.TH) expects revenue of $5 billion in its current fiscal year, the national carrier's executive vice president Pandit Chanapai said at an aviation conference on Friday.

The forecast is below market expectations. Six analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires forecast the national carrier's revenue at THB200 billion ($5.9 billion) in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, compared with an estimated THB189 billion in the last fiscal year.

The national carrier expects to spend about 17% more on fuel this fiscal year, due to the high global oil price, President Apinan Sumanaseni said at the conference.

The airline is budgeting THB70 billion for fuel, up from THB60 billion last year, Apinan said.

Fuel now accounts for about 30% of the airline's operating expenses, compared with 15% a few years ago, he said.

Pandit said the airline currently hedges 23% of fuel usage. Company policy allows up to 50% to be hedged.

It's too risky at the moment to hedge as high as 50% because oil prices could retreat after having risen significantly, he said.