Airbus

Thai Airways International (THAI) has finalised a purchase agreement with Airbus for the firm order of seven A330-300s, confirming a commitment announced at last month's Farnborough Air Show. Deliveries will begin at the end of 2011 and the newly ordered aircraft will join an existing fleet of 20 A330-300s at THAI flying to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region.

"THAI has ordered the additional A330-300 aircraft to meet our medium haul requirement and enable us to continue to operate one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the region," said Piyasvasti Amranand, President, Thai Airways International. “Our fleet strategy aims to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by matching aircraft size to market demand, while working on fleet simplification in the long-term. The popular A330 remains an important part of that strategy.”

"This latest order from THAI is another vote of confidence in the proven efficiency, low operating costs and wide passenger appeal of the A330," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "We are pleased that the A330 will continue to be an important part of the THAI fleet for many years to come, underscoring its status as the most efficient mid-size widebody aircraft in-service today."

The modern and efficient A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,000 firm orders for the various versions of the aircraft. More than 700 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with over 80 operators worldwide.