Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) is in talks with the two big aircraft manufacturers about an order for as many as 95 aircraft, according to a Reuters report. Talks, reportedly still in a “very early stage,” concern a potential order for 15 narrowbody aircraft and 80 widebodies.

The majority-state-owned airline, which continues to work its way through a court-supervised restructuring program to tackle THB400 billion baht (USD11.3 billion) worth of accrued debt, had previously said it wanted to sign an order for an additional 30 aircraft by the end of 2023. This latest report triples that number.

Having posted losses for a decade, Thai Airways is now profitable but handicapped by a shortage of aircraft, which it is attempting to address in the short term through leasing arrangements. Thai's fleet currently comprises five former Thai Smile A320-200s, three A330-300s, fourteen A350-900s, six B777-200ERs, seventeen B777-300ERs, six B787-8s, and two B787-9s. The airline also says it has secured twelve A321neo-type aircraft on lease, with deliveries across 2025 and 2026.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways continues to take over former Thai Smile routes as the low-cost carrier progresses its merger with its parent entity, Thai Airways. From October 15, Thai Airways will take over Thai Smile flights on the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi – Ahmedabad, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Kaohsiung, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Penang, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - Kolkata city pairs. Each route will see seven roundtrips per week using ex-Thai Smile A320-200s.

ch-aviation research has also established that Thai Airways will take over almost all, if not all, Thai Smile routes out of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi by the start of 2024:

So far, Thai Airways has transferred across five of Thai Smile's twenty A320-200s. Eventually, all will go to Thai Airways, along with all Thai Smile employees and infrastructure.