Thai Airways International Public Limited Company , trading as THAI (SET: Ã, THAI, Thai: ???????? ?????? ????? (?????) ) is a flag carrier carrier of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline has its headquarters on Jalan Vibhavadi Rangsit, Chatuchak District, Bangkok, and mainly operates outside Suvarnabhumi Airport. THAI is a founding member of the Star Alliance. The airline is the largest shareholder of Nok Air's low-cost airline with 39 percent of the shares, and launched a regional airline under the name Thailand Smile in mid-2012 using a new Airbus A320 aircraft.
From its headquarters at Suvarnabhumi Airport and the secondary hub at Phuket International Airport, THAI (including its subsidiaries) flies to 84 destinations in 37 countries, using a fleet of more than 90 aircraft. The airline was once the operator of two of the world's longest non-stop routes between Bangkok and Los Angeles and New York City, but due to high fuel prices, aircraft withdrawals, baggage weight limits and rising airline tickets, the airline left all non-stop stop the US service in 2012 indefinitely. In 2013, services between Bangkok and Los Angeles are served through Incheon International Airport near Seoul, but its service ends in the US on October 25, 2015. THAI route network is dominated by flights to Europe, East Asia and South/Southwest Asia, although the airline serves five cities in Oceania. THAI is the first Asia-Pacific airline to serve London Heathrow Airport. Among the Asia-Pacific operators, THAI has one of the largest passenger operations in Europe.
THAI is the official sponsor of Bangkok United, Red Bull Racing and the 12th PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2017.
Video Thai Airways
History
Beginning
THAI Airways started in 1960 as a joint venture between Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which holds a 30 percent stake in a new company worth two million baht Thailand, and Thai domestic carrier Thai Airways Company (Thailand: ). The purpose of the joint venture is to create international wings for Thai Airways Company's domestic airlines. SAS also provides operational, managerial, and marketing expertise, with the assistance of training aimed at building fully independent national airlines in the shortest time possible. Thai citizens, through training and experience, can gradually assume full managerial responsibility and the number of foreign staff deserves to decline, with expatriates accounting for less than one percent of staff based in Thailand in 1987. The airline's first aviation revenue was on May 1, 1960. The flight is operated to nine overseas Asian destinations from Bangkok.
The airline's first intercontinental service using Douglas DC-8 began in 1971 to Australia, and then to Europe the following year. A larger tri-jet body of Douglas DC-10 was acquired in the late 1970s. Service to North America began in 1980.
On April 1, 1977, after 17 years of capital participation by SAS, the Thai government bought the remaining 15 percent of SAS and THAI shares into a Thai-owned air carrier. By 2016, the company is 51 percent owned by the Thai Ministry of Finance. Forty-seven percent of its share trading on the Thai Stock Exchange.
1980s and 1990s: merger with Thai Airways Company
On April 1, 1988, Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda, in an effort to have a single national airline, combined the international and domestic operations of the two companies to form this company, Thai Airways International. On June 25, 1991, THAI just listed its shares on the Thailand Stock Exchange and offered it to the public. THAI shareholding is the largest ever conducted in the country.
In 1997, Thai Airways planned a privatization program, the first in Thai history.
On May 14, 1997, THAI, together with Lufthansa, Air Canada, SAS, and United Airlines, established the world's first and largest airline alliance, the Star Alliance .
2000s: Brand renewal and financial difficulties brand
Throughout the 2000s (decades), THAI is aggressively continuing its network expansion with new services to Chengdu, Busan, Chennai, Xiamen, Milan, Moscow, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Johannesburg (then suspended) and Oslo.
Using the Airbus A340-500 it acquired in 2005, THAI started non-stop flights from Bangkok to New York, its first non-stop service to North America. The airline then changed its existing one-stop service to Los Angeles into a non-stop service using the same type of aircraft. Quoting extremely high fuel costs, THAI suspended its New York service in July 2008, although the airline was able to fill 80 percent of seats. The service to Los Angeles is again returned to the one stop service via Seoul on May 1, 2012, leaving the airline with no non-stop service between Thailand and North America. The A340 used has been removed using Boeing 777-200ER for the Bangkok-Seoul-Los-Angeles route. Although the A340 previously used for non-stop services is not subject to ETOPS, the calculations in 777 with a one-stop service (with a 330-minute rule) will be unlimited for years to come; the airline has no plans to pursue newer North American destinations (eg, Houston, TX, USA) or buy Boeing 747-8 for trans-Pacific routes since Thai Airways operates the Airbus A380.
In 2006, THAI moved its center operations to Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport. Coinciding with the arrival of new aircraft during the mid-2000s, as well as the new hub airport in Bangkok, the airline launched a brand renewal by introducing new aircraft livery, new aircraft seating, and overhaul of land and air services.
The 2000s (decades) also saw THAI expand its route network beyond its Bangkok hub. It launched non-stop flights from Phuket to Tokyo-Narita, Seoul-Incheon and Hong Kong.
During the late 2000s, THAI's aggressive growth was hampered by a combination of internal and external factors, including fuel price spikes, domestic political conflicts in Thailand, and the global economic crisis of the late 2000s. In 2008, after achieving profitability over the previous 40 years, THAI posted its first ever loss in its history of approximately 21 billion baht (US $ 675 million). The airline cites high fuel costs and Thailand's political situation. In Q2 2009, following a series of restructuring initiatives, including a two-year delay from Airbus A380 shipping, the carrier returned to a net profit of 2.5 billion baht. Since then received the first A380 and started service to Hong Kong on October 6, 2012.
2010s: Fleet renewal and expansion
While celebrating the 50th anniversary of 2010, THAI, pioneered by Piyasvasti Amranand, president and former energy minister, mapped out new plans for the company's future, including significant fleet renewals and improved service. THAI has placed orders for a number of aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 that are cost effective, and has also launched Boeing 747 and 777 cabin improvements. Given the rising cost of fuel, the airline has now stopped the most inefficient aircraft, including the Airbus A340- 500 of them. The airline took delivery of its first Airbus A380 aircraft in the last half of 2012, intending to eventually deploy the aircraft on its central European route.
THAI has also continued its network expansion by reopening flights to Brussels, in addition to new non-stop flights from Stockholm and Copenhagen to Phuket. At the same time, the Greek debt crisis caused THAI to suspend its services to Athens.
As part of THAI's broader growth strategy in the region, THAI launches regional airline with premium light service, Thai Smile which operates Airbus A320-200 with narrow lanes on regional and domestic routes. The new airline commenced commercial operations in July 2012, after the first A320 received.
THAI hopes to become the first airline in Asia to fly commercial aviation using biofuels. The airline launched the initiative with an experimental flight in December 2011 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, otherwise known as "Green Travel". THAI hopes to stimulate sustainable biofuel production in Thailand by working with Thai government agencies and regional partner companies, such as PTT Public Company Limited. The effort aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in regional air travel and put Thailand as Asia's "bio center".
All Thai airlines are currently (April 2015) under security review following negative audits from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The common implications and possible effects on flight code sharing are reviewed by Watson, Farley and Williams.
On December 1, 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States announced a reassessment of its security ratings for Thailand, downgrading it from Category 1 to Category 2. The FAA stated, "US and Thai airlines have long-term cooperative relationships and our two countries work continuing to meet the challenge of ensuring the safety of the flight International Aircraft Security Rating Category 2 (IASA) means that the country has no laws or regulations required to oversee the airline in accordance with minimum international standards, or civil aviation authority - a the FAA equivalent body for aviation safety issues - deficiencies in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures With Category 2 rating, Thai airlines can continue their existing routes to the United States but they will not allowed to create new routes to the United States. "
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) refused to blacklist all Thai airlines after reviewing certain carriers in November 2015. THAI subsequently received EU third country operator certification (TCO) from December 15, 2015, authorizing operators to continue to fly to the EU for the foreseeable future.
In July 2015, THAI held a promotional deal with South Korea's Girls' Generation pop group, including an appearance in the music video for their "Party" song. Also in July 2015, THAI announced the cancellation of its planned services to Los Angeles after October 25, 2015, marking the end of the US service.
In June 2016, as a result of the reconstruction plan, THAI announced to begin Tehran's three-week service (but subsequently suspended its service on February 28, 2018) and continued Moscow services from October and November 2016. The airline is also considering returning to the United States using Boeing 787-9 in 2017. However, Charamporn Jothikastira, the president of THAI, denied the possibility of returning to Los Angeles or New York City due to heavy losses in the past. In contrast, THAI observes other cities such as San Francisco and Seattle. While Thailand Smile, its subsidiary, plans for new regional routes such as Cebu, Medan, Surabaya, Chandigarh, Shantou and Tianjin.
In August 2016, THAI introduced a new route network management system. Following the system, many flight schedules are changed to fit each other, allowing intercontinental passengers to transit through Bangkok more conveniently. THAI plans early to customize 13 scheduled routes especially in Japan, Australia and India. The routes that have been announced are Perth and Brisbane.
On September 23, 2016, Thai Smile, a subsidiary of THAI has announced 4 new services for Gaya, Varanasi, Jaipur and Lucknow in India that marks the expansion of the THAI network in the regional market.
In the fourth quarter of 2016, Thai Smile has promised to resume the deferred route and the THAI-ended regional routes of Da Nang, Kota Kinabalu, Luang Prabang and Mandalay. Also airlines have considered launching new services to Hangzhou and Zhengzhou.
Rolls-Royce machine procurement
In January 2017, a four-year investigation by the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was revealed. It was determined that the Rolls-Royce machine maker had paid bribes to "... Thai state agents and employees of Thai Airways..." to secure orders for Rolls-Royce T800 engines for Boeing 777-200. Rolls-Royce claimed responsibility and agreed to pay a fine. Illegal payments of US $ 36.38 million occurred between 1991 and 2005. Bribes were paid in three stages:
- June 1, 1991 - June 30, 1992: Rolls-Royce pays 660 million baht (US $ 18.8 million)
- March 1, 1992 - March 31, 1997: Rolls-Royce pays US $ 10.38 million
- April 1, 2004 - February 28, 2005: Rolls-Royce pays US $ 7.2 million
The government rejected Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's request to use his powers in Section 44 to bypass the red ribbon in the investigation of the Rolls-Royce bribery scandal. The response from the Thai government's Anti-Corruption National Commission for information provided by SFO, said to be "warm" and "... could be more embarrassing than the scandal itself."
Maps Thai Airways
Destination
Codeshare Thai Airways with the following airlines:
Corporate image
Cabin crew
THAI is one of several airlines with a uniform change policy in flight. Female flight attendants on international routes are required to change their company's purple outfit (for use outside cabin) into Thai traditional clothing (as seen in the company's marketing campaign) before the departure of public passengers. They are also required to change back to the former before disembarkation. Therefore, Thai traditional dress can only be seen by THAI's traveling airplanes or in THAI's premium lounge in Bangkok. Thai nationality crew members other than Thai are not allowed to wear traditional Thai dress. The male flight attendant also has a jacket coat that is different from that worn on the ground.
Management issues
Political interference, corruption and abuse of authority have been a persistent problem in the management of THAI. Speaking at the World Economic Forum on East Asia, former president Piyasvasti Amranand, who was abruptly dismissed in May 2012, cited the procurement of A340-500 by Thai (three of which have been banned) as an example of mismanagement affected by corruption and interference political. , resulting in operational losses.
Business trends
The main trend for Thai Airways over the past few years is shown below (numbers by calendar year):
Financial position
In early 2014, THAI became the target of rumors that the company will declare bankruptcy in May 2014. Listed on the Thai stock exchange, the company is a state company in which the finance ministry holds shares up 51 percent. In a statement to the media, Chokchai Panyayong, executive vice president and president of the air force, stated: "THAI never fails." Despite the loss in the third quarter of last year, the company still has high liquidity and has a clear plan for debt repayment. further explained that the loss of owners of 6.35 billion baht in the third quarter of last year was the result of a failed company plan to attract more customers. THAI's financial loss for 2014 was reported at 15.6 billion baht (US $ 479 million), 3.6 billion baht higher than a year earlier. THAI blames the declining tourist arrivals from North Asia due to political unrest in Thailand during the year, but capacity figures from the Flightglobal Network Innovation Data service show that Europe may be a larger channel at the bottom line during the year.
Lower fuel prices and stronger Thai baht allow THAI to report earnings of 4.54 billion baht (US $ 134 million) in the first quarter of 2015. The latest half-year results for 2015 have shown some improvement, but the airline is still in the red with 2015 losses projected to 297 million baht, compared with a major loss of 2014 of 10.9 billion baht.
Fleet
Current fleet
In May 2018, the main Thai Airways carrier fleet consisted of the following aircraft:
Comment
- Historically, THAI Airways has a Boeing D7 Customer Client. For example, a Boeing 747-400 aircraft ordered directly by the airline from Boeing Commercial Airplanes is coded Boeing 747-4D7. Since the introduction of Boeing 787, Boeing no longer uses customer codes.
Fleet development plan
THAI fleet development plan, as of December 2011, for the period 2012-2022 in three phases:
- 2012: Out of 11 old planes, dispatch of 12 government approved aircraft.
- 2013-2017: Phase of the old 35 planes, the delivery of 11 approved aircraft, and the acquisition of 33 new planes, including 26 next generation wide-bodied aircraft and 20 Airbus A320s.
- 2018-2022: Exit phase 747 and 777 and the acquisition of 15 generations of wide-bodied aircraft to replace it.
- 2017 August: consider buying a new narrow body aircraft on the Samui route.
On June 13, 2011, THAI Board of Directors announced it will purchase 15 aircraft and acquire the remaining 22 from operating leases. Aircraft purchased including 14 Boeing 777-300ERs, will ship in 2014 and 2015, four Airbus A350-900s (2016 and 2017). The chartered aircraft included six 787-8 and two 787-9 from the International Lease Finance (ILFC) lessor. Series 8 will be delivered in 2014 and 2015, while 9 series will be delivered by 2017. In addition, THAI will lease six A350-900 from Aviation Lease and Finance, to be delivered in 2017, and two A350-900s from CIT Aerospace International, which will ship the aircraft by 2016. The airline will also lease six A320-200 from RBS Aerospace International, which will ship in 2012 and 2013. All operating leases have a period of 12 years each.
On January 20, 2016 Thai Airways International PCL announced plans to postpone the delivery of 14 aircraft for three years to reduce operating costs when the national airline is restructured. The 14 aircraft include 12 Airbus 350, two of which are scheduled to be delivered by 2016, and two Boeing 787s.
On February 12, 2016, Thai Airways announced it would continue to launch 10 Unsampled Airbus A340s as flying the four-engined aircraft was not cost-effective even after fuel prices fell more than 40 percent the previous year. In addition to trying to lower the aircraft load, previously used for long-haul destinations like Frankfurt, the airline that lost the money has cut routes and sold assets to improve its balance sheet and operations.
Armada History
Aircraft maintenance center
THAI maintains three maintenance centers, at U-Tapao International Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Aircraft service centers belonging to airlines other than THAI aircraft.
THAI Technical
THAI Technical is internationally certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Joint Aviation Authority, the European Aviation Safety Agency Section 145 of the Nursing Organization and the Civil Aviation Bureau of Japan for facilities at Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport. It has also received a Reward Identification Certificate from the US Department of Transport for its operations at U-Tapao International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport.
It is domestically certified by the Department of Civil Aviation (Thailand) for all three facilities in Thailand.
On February 27, 1998, the Department received ISO 9002 certification from Bureau Veritas Quality International, with ISO 14001 certification awarded by the same agency on March 16, 2001.
Hygiene
THAI started a program entitled "The Most Hygienic Cab Building Program" with an emphasis on air quality, surface hygiene and food safety. The program includes removal of all in-flight disposable materials after flight, sterilization and fumigation of all cabin equipment, and inspection of air circulation systems. Special audit processes are also conducted for aircraft sanitation and sanitation systems by specialist teams. These steps are applied to the entire THAI fleet.
THAI is the first airline to install a True HEPA home-class air filter, capable of intercepting up to 99.99 percent of dust particles and microorganisms on each flight. The World Health Organization gave the airline placards for the implementation of the cabin management system in 2004. This is the first award given to private organizations.
Ground service
Royal Royal Loung Silk or Royal Orchid is available for THAI premium passengers in various domestic and international destinations. Royal Orchid Spa THAI is located at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and is designed to serve First Class and Royal Silk Class passengers with a variety of spa services at the airline's center at Suvarnabhumi Airport. International travelers traveling from Bangkok in the Royal Silk or Royal First class are also entitled to private security checks and passport control facilities, as well as free spa services at Royal Orchid Spa, with various services available depending on the class of services flown by passengers. This service is not available for non-premium class passengers. THAI's first-class ground service in Bangkok also provides private transport services within the terminal to first class passengers.
Since 4 January 2011, THAI has provided check-in service at Bangkok City Air Terminal at Makkasan Station. The train service is provided by Airport Rail Link (Bangkok). However, the Bangkok City Air Terminal has now stopped operating.
Cab Services
The THAI One Class Hall, produced by B/E Aerospace, was introduced with the arrival of Airbus A340-600. This seat is also available on selected Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The new version of the Royal First Class seating in the suite or enclosure configuration is available on THAI's Airbus A380 aircraft and has selected Boeing 747-400 aircraft since 2012 improvements.
Royal Silk Class (Business Class)
THAI Royal Silk Class seats have been installed in all THAI aircraft. The sleigh shell design seats have 150 to 160 cm (58 to 62 Â ° in) pitch and 51 to 55 cm wide (20 to 21.5 inches) wide. Prior to the repair, Royal Silk Class on some 747-400s sold as premium economy seats on the Scandinavian route. Currently, Royal Silk seats in 777-300ER and 777-200ER are sold as premium economy class seats on Scandinavian and Moscow routes. A set of Royal Silk seats is available on THAI's Airbus A380, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-8, and Airbus A350-900s. After delivery of the new 787-9 to THAI, Zodiac Cirrus or Reverse Herringbone seats are now available on new aircraft.
Economy Class
THAI Economy Class offers seating space between 81 and 86 cm (32 and 34 inches) depending on the type of aircraft. Private screens with AVOD are on Airbus A380, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A350-900, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777 (200, 200ER, 300 and 300ER), Boeing 787 aircraft.
Royal Orchid Plus
Royal Orchid Plus is the THAI frequent flyer program. It has a membership of over two million people. There are two types of miles that can be accrued with the Royal Orchid Plus account: Eligible Qualifying Mile on THAI flights and its subsidiaries and codeshare and Star Alliance partners as well as Qualifying Mile Miles) are flown miles and bonus miles earned from travel in certain service classes at THAI and Star Alliance airlines. Royal Orchid Plus miles are based on paid travel class. There are four levels in the Royal Orchid Plus program: Members , Silver , Gold and Platinum , depending on Q Miles received within one calendar year.
Accidents and incidents
- June 30, 1967: Thai Airways 601 International Flight, Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III (HS-TGI, Chiraprapa ), crashed into port waters when approaching Kai Tak Airport in a rainstorm tropical. Twenty-four of the 80 passengers and crew were killed.
- July 9, 1969: A Way Aviale III International Flight from Thai Airways (HS-TGK, Tepamart ) landed painstakingly at Don Mueang International Airport during a lightning storm; all 75 passengers survived, but the plane was canceled. The aircraft may have been caught by downdraft.
- May 10, 1973: A Thai Airways International Douglas DC-8-33 (HS-TGU, Srisubhan ) stormed the ground when landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. All 100 passengers and 10 crew on the ship survived, but one person on the ground were killed.
- October 26, 1986: Thai Airways 620 International Flight, an Airbus A300B4-600 (HS-TAE, Sukhothai ) landed safely at Itami Airport, Japan after a grenade exploded on a 33,000 foot (33,000 ft) 10,000 Ã, m) above Tosa Bay; all 239 passengers and crew survived. The aircraft was damaged by an explosion but repaired and returned to service.
- November 10, 1990: Thai Airways 306 International Flight 306, Airbus A300-600 flying from Yangon to Don Mueang International Airport is the target of piracy attempts by individuals demanding to be taken to Kolkata.
- July 31, 1992: Thai Airways 311 International Flights from Bangkok, an Airbus A310-300 struck a hill side 37 kilometers (23 miles) north of Kathmandu as it descends to Tribhuvan International Airport. All 113 passengers (99 passengers and 14 crew) were killed. The accident was caused by technical failure, lack of radar equipment at Tribhuvan International Airport.
- October 22, 1994: An Airbus International Thai Airways A300B4-100 (HS-THO) was abolished after being hit by an uncontrolled Thai Airways MD-11 (HS-TMD, Phra Nakhon ) engine at Bangkok International Airport.
- December 11, 1998: Thai Airways International Flight 261, A310-200 (HS-TIA, Phitsanulok ), heading to Surat Thani from Bangkok, crashing into paddy about 3 km (2 mi)) from Surat airport Thani during the third landing attempt in heavy rain; 101 of 146 people were killed.
- March 3, 2001: Thai Airways 114 International Flights, Boeing 737-400 (HS-TDC, Narathiwat ), to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, destroyed by explosion of tank the center wing resulting from ignition of a combustible mixture of air fuel inside the tank while the plane was parked at the gate in Bangkok. The source of ignition energy for the explosion can not be determined with certainty, but the most likely source is an explosion originating from the center of the wing tank pump as a result of running the pump in the presence of metal shavings and air-fuel mixtures. , despite attempted murder theorizing. One crew member was killed.
- September 8, 2013: Thai Airways 679 International Flight, Airbus A330-300, (HS-TEF, Song Dao ), arrives from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), China, has a travel runway from the 19L platform upon landing at Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), with extensive damage to aircraft and runways. All passengers and crew were successfully evacuated without serious injury. The plane has been dredged and is being renovated, by a private investor, as a children's learning center in Sida District in Thailand.
See also
- Nok Air
- Thai Smile
- Thai Tiger Airways
- Transportation in Thailand
References
External links
Media related to Thai Airways International on Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- PR Website and Official Travel
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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