Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) has signed an agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital to lease eight A321neo aircraft. The twinjets, which are currently scheduled to deliver in 2026 and 2027, are sourced from SMBC's Airbus orderbook. They will form part of Thai Airways' fleet growth strategy.
Thai's narrowbody fleet presently comprises twenty A320-200s, all ex-Thai Smile stock. In a September 2024 Stock Exchange of Thailand filing, the airline said it expected thirty-two A321-200Ns to be delivered over the next five years as part of a broader fleet upgrade and expansion plan. At the time, CEO Chai Eamsiri said the narrowbodies would primarily focus on domestic and regional flying.
ch-aviation has asked Thai Airways whether the new agreement forms part of the 32-aircraft cohort or is additional to it.
According to the most recent Airbus order data, current as of December 31, 2024, SMBC Aviation has 107 A320neo and fifty-one A321neo aircraft on order. ch-aviation fleets data indicates the lessor owns and/or manages 724 aircraft, including 103 A321neo aircraft.
