Thai Accept First New Technology A300-600

Cost of developing an all new engine in this class would nowadays be in excess of a billion dollars, claim GE, so the result of the EEE programme is cost efficient to say the least. The -80C2 aboard the new A300-600, a slightly stretched and improved version of the standard A300B4 as operated by TAA, is rated at 57,9001b thrust and is 13% more fuel efficient than the standard -50 version. Thai have ordered 8 of the new -600s to eventually bring their total A300 fleet to 20 units which will give them the largest Airbus fleet in Asia. The new -600s feature carbon brakes, radial tyres, delta-shaped winglets and a two-man glass cockpit.

Additionally, Thai has also ordered 2 Boeing 747-300s and taken a third on option to satisfy its rapidly growing long haul requirements. The -300s will also be powered by CF6-80C2 engines and will be the first of type to have this engine. GE and Thai are confident that the -80C2 on the 747-300 will increase range by some 800nm in reduced fuel burn alone and allow the development of Bangkok to Europe non-stop services that are presently impossible with their 747-200s.

Thai is certainly growing rapidly and has seen Revenue Tonne Kilometres (RTKs) increase by more than 50% in the past five years alone. RTK growth through 84/85 was an impressive 13% while load factor nowadays is in the low seventies. Thai proudly boasts that it has had twenty years of uninterrupted profit and domestically is seen as a very important foreign exchange earner for Thailand in addition to being a major vehicle for increased tourism.

The carrier operates a fleet of 6 Boeing 747-200s with 2 -300s on order and a third on option, 12 Airbus A300B4s with 8 -600s on order, 2 of which have just been delivered and 2 DC-10-30s which are used largely in a reserve capacity. Thai has served Australia since 1971 and nowadays operates to Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Thai hopes to inaugurate services to Adelaide in the first half of 1986 and to Auckland and Port Moresby a year later.

During a recent visit to their Bangkok jet base, Australian Aviation was impressed to learn that Thai performs all their own heavy maintenance and have one of the largest, and best-equipped, overhaul facilities in the region. The carrier notes that the secret of its success is increasing frequency via its large fleet of A300s on its regional services, something that most of its competitors cannot achieve due to their reliance on larger aircraft. The addition of the ultra long range Boeing 7 47-300s will also enable Thai to pioneer new non-stop services direct from Bangkok to Paris, London and Frankfurt from 1987 onwards.

With a max payload range of 3,800nm, the new A300-600s will be able to perform many sectors previously operated with the DC-10s. The DC-10s themselves will in time be replaced with a new long-haul aircraft in the 300 seat class and as Thai were initially holding letters of intent against the then mooted McDonnell Douglas MD100 trijet it seems certain that they will again be ready to paint their livery on the soon to be launched MD-11. Accordingly, Thai is also very happy with its Airbus fleet and looks to the extended fuselage TA9 with great interest. Thai A300-600s are configured tor 200 economy and 46 business class seats (Thai operate three classes only on the 747 and DC- 10) while the TA9 could take over 300 passengers.

Like most airlines, Thai operates a number of associate companies, one of which is a limousine car service that operates throughout Thailand. Of interest to all Australians is that Thai have recently ordered an initial batch of 30 GMH Commodores to replace some of their existing Japanese cars – certainly a twist to the old story and one aided by our dollar devaluation.

Established in 1960, Thai has only recently celebrated its first quarter century, though with past experience this ASEAN carrier certainly is set to move onto bigger and better things as one of

Asia’s principal airlines in the years ahead.