Thai Airways International on Wednesday signed a purchase agreement with Airbus SAS for seven A330-300 aircraft, with deliveries due to start at the end of 2011.
Airline president Piyasvasti Amranand, who signed the deal, said the newly ordered aircraft will join the national carrier’s existing fleet of 20 A330-300s.
Thai’s board approved the purchase in February.
Piyasvasti, who took over at at the airline’s helm last year, has vowed to rationalize the carrier’s fleet to improve efficiency and cut maintenance costs.
Thai, a state enterprise which has been subject to interference by its politically appointed board in past purchases, operates Airbus and Boeing aeroplanes with aircraft engines from a range of manufacturers.
The new A330-300s will be used on routes such as Bangkok to Perth and Dubai.
