Thai Airways $1.4 bln plane purchase plan approved

[bigdelta]

BANGKOK, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The Thai cabinet approved on Tuesday a $1.4 billion deal by Thai Airways International PCL (SET:THAI.BK - News) to buy eight new planes from Airbus and seven old Boeings (NYSE:BA - News) from U.S. carrier United Airlines (NYSE:UAL - News).

The purchase is part of the national carrier's five-year $3.11 billion investment plan which would increase the airline's fleet to 92 aircraft by September 2007, government officials said.

 

The plan to buy more aircraft so Thai Airways can expand its routes covers three Airbus A340-500s, five Airbus A340-600s and seven Boeing 747-400s from the embattling American carrier.

 

Thai Airways has already ordered two new Boeing 747-400s worth 12.1 billion baht ($289.3 million) for delivery this year, government officials said.

 

Under its five-year plan, the national carrier will add 27 new destinations and 154 new flights. It expects to have 1,090 flights a week in five years, Kanok said.

 

John

[echster]

And with these newer planes they will re-do their interior.  TG is a great airline, but their first and business products are vastly inferior to their Asian rivals.

[Floyd]

I  hope that incls video monitors. I love TG but SG and CX are leaving them for dead