Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) is inviting qualified buyers to bid for one or more of its six A380-800s, issuing tender documentation on August 22, 2023. The airline seeks to dispose of its entire A380 fleet, which it retired from service in 2021. A proposal to bring some back into service late last year did not make it past the planning stage.

Interested buyers must submit a proforma general information proposal, which includes a refundable USD50,000 per plane bidding deposit and price proposal no later than 2359L (1659Z) on September 12, 2023. The sale is conducted with the approval and supervision of the Bangkok Bankruptcy Court and is subject to final approval from Thai's plan administrator.

The aircraft, all fitted with four fitted with four Rolls-Royce Trent 970-84 engines, are;

  • 11.48-year-old HS-TUA (msn 0087), which has completed 32,880 flight hours over 4,291 cycles;
  • 11.23-year-old HS-TUB (msn 0093), which has completed 32,699 flights hours over 4,172 cycles;
  • 11.04-year-old HS-TUC (msn 0100), which has completed 32,550 flight hours over 4,059 cycles;
  • 10.87-year-old HS-TUD (msn 0122), which has completed 31,188 flight hours over 3,838 cycles;
  • 10.19-year-old HS-TUE (msn 0125), which has completed 30,645 flight hours over 3,691 cycles; and
  • 10.34-year-old HS-TUF (msn 0131), which has completed 29,639 flight hours over 3,589 cycles.

The A380s are sold on an as-is, where-is basis, with HS-TUE and HS-TUF stored at Utapao and the remaining four kept at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Individuals or entities who have previously been or are currently blacklisted by Thai, or subject to sanctions administered, enacted or enforced by the United Nations or the US government are ineligible to bid. "The bidder must act as principal for its own account and not as an agent or broker," the documentation reads. "In the event that the proposal is accepted, Thai will enter into a sale and purchase agreement with the successful bidder only and not with an affiliate or any other entity, whether associated or not with the bidder."

The proposal shall include general company information about the bidder, certain constitutional documents, certain board approval documents, relevant power of attorney documents, a signed non-disclosure agreement, proof of funds to finance the purchase, the bid deposit, and a USD price proposal. There is no reserve price for the aircraft. "Thai, at its own discretion, reserves the right to consider selling any of the used aircraft to the bidder which Thai considers is of the best interest to Thai," says the documentation.

The terms of sale require a 20% deposit to be paid to Thai within five working days of executing a purchase agreement, with the balance to be paid on or before the agreed aircraft delivery date. Inspection of the aircraft is available at a time and date suitable to both parties. However, the bid documentation notes there may be a USD5,000 charge per inspected aircraft, calling it an "aircraft inspection preparation cost."

The laws of Thailand govern the sale process, and the airline reserves the right to accept or reject any bid without providing a reason and without incurring any liabilities. Successful bidders shall be required to export the aircraft from Thailand within 30 days of delivery and must bear any costs incurred in this process, including all applicable taxes.

Successful bidders will be required to enter into a purchase agreement within ten working days of receiving notice from Thai they their bid succeeded. The two stages of handover include the technical acceptance, and delivery of the aircraft. Both will take place at a mutually agreed time and date.

Thai Airways operates its own aircraft trading platform. Data from that platform shows the airline has sold its entire range of formerly available B737-400, B747-400, B777-200, B777-300, A300-600, and A340 family-type aircraft. The A380-800s are the only aircraft the airline is now looking to sell.