aircraft

  • Thailand NewsAircraft shortage delays launch of Thailand’s Really Cool Airlines

    Aircraft shortage delays launch of Thailand’s Really Cool Airlines

    The worldwide aircraft shortage has led to a delay in the launch of Really Cool Airlines in Thailand. The airline, headed by chief executive Patee Sarasin, is finalising a lease agreement for two Airbus A330 aircraft, with delivery now expected by the end of this year rather than the initially planned first half. Commercial airlines are struggling to acquire aircraft…

  • Business NewsVietJet to receive ten Airbus jets amid aircraft shortages

    VietJet to receive ten Airbus jets amid aircraft shortages

    VietJet, the Vietnamese budget airline, will receive up to ten Airbus jets this year, as revealed today. The delivery comes as local airlines grapple with aircraft shortages driven by engine recalls and elevated leasing costs. VietJet announced the upcoming arrival of new jets, specifically the A321neo ACF model, starting this month. This move is part of a significant expansion, with…

  • Business NewsThailand’s aviation hub dreams delayed by global supply issues

    Thailand’s aviation hub dreams delayed by global supply issues

    Thailand’s ambition to become the leading aviation hub in the region by 2030 may face significant delays due to global supply chain disruptions, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The country needs to remove unnecessary regulations and accelerate digitalisation efforts to improve aviation efficiency. IATA‘s Director-General, Willie Walsh expressed his views at the group’s annual general meeting in…

  • Business NewsAir China boosts Comac profile with massive C919 jet order

    Air China boosts Comac profile with massive C919 jet order

    China’s national carrier, Air China, reportedly placed an order for 100 domestically-produced C919 jets, a move anticipated to garner international interest and further boost the profile of the relatively new aircraft. This comes as rival Boeing continues to grapple with ongoing safety concerns. The Beijing-based airline, which flies to 196 destinations, including over 60 international locations, confirmed the agreement with Comac,…

  • Thailand NewsPattaya Airways unveils Thailand’s sole ATR 72-500 freighter

    Pattaya Airways unveils Thailand’s sole ATR 72-500 freighter

    Pattaya Airways has introduced its inaugural ATR 72-500 freighter, named Thanthima with the registration HS-PAW. Marking the beginning of a strategic expansion, this aircraft signals the start of a bold venture for Pattaya Airways, with plans to add a second ATR 72 to its arsenal by May. By year’s end, the airline aims to command a fleet of two ATR…

  • Thailand NewsAir India scrambles for aircraft amidst passenger surge

    Air India scrambles for aircraft amidst passenger surge

    Air India, now steered by Tata Group’s helm, is set to soar with 506 aircraft orders and a delivery every six days. CEO Campbell Wilson anticipates slight delays in their transformation journey, admitting they’re playing catch-up in the market. IndiGo, dominating India’s skies, plans a colossal expansion, eyeing a fleet surge from 300 to 1,000 aircraft by the decade’s end, reveals…

  • Thailand NewsDublin’s AerCap lends 17 aircraft to Thai Airways

    Dublin’s AerCap lends 17 aircraft to Thai Airways

    Thai Airways International (THAI) and AerCap have signed agreements to lease 17 aircraft to THAI. These aircraft include four Airbus A350-900, three Boeing 787-9, and 10 Airbus A321neo airliners. THAI acquired these in 2023 as part of its short-term fleet development. Two of the four A350 aircraft have been transferred over and the other two will be sent to THAI…

  • Thailand NewsIrish firm takes flight: Thai Airways to receive new Airbus airliner from CDB

    Irish firm takes flight: Thai Airways to receive new Airbus airliner from CDB

    Irish aircraft leasing company CDB Aviation is unleashing the power of two A330-300 aircraft into the hands of Thai Airways. Scheduled for delivery in September and October this year, these A330-300 aircraft boast an impressive long-distance range of 6,350 nautical miles, positioning Thai Airways for unrivalled success, says the company. Jie Chen, the mastermind behind the leasing deal and CEO…

  • World NewsChina’s aircraft carriers: A threat or propaganda showpiece?

    China’s aircraft carriers: A threat or propaganda showpiece?

    While China’s recent military drills with its Shandong aircraft carrier showcased its modernizing forces, experts believe it could take over a decade for China to pose a credible carrier threat far from its shores. Military attaches and defence analysts question the value of China’s carriers in a potential conflict with the US over Taiwan or their ability to be protected…

  • World NewsChina’s Fujian: A naval game-changer

    China’s Fujian: A naval game-changer

    China is about to seriously shake things up in the world of naval warfare, as the latest state-of-the-art aircraft carrier, the Fujian, reportedly gears up to launch new-type aircraft. As soon as this beauty is commissioned, it’s expected to be the lynchpin of China’s ambitious plans to develop a blue-water navy – making its presence known on the open ocean…

  • Thailand NewsSmall plane crashes in central Thailand, 1 dead, 1 injured

    Small plane crashes in central Thailand, 1 dead, 1 injured

    A small plane crashed into a shrimp pond in Samut Sakhon province in central Thailand this morning, killing one man and injuring one woman. At 7.24am, the Samut Sakhon Provincial Incident Notification and Command Centre reported that a two-seater Tecnum P92 aircraft crashed into a pond at a shrimp farm along the Khok Kham – Sandap Road behind the Sinsakhon…

  • Transport NewsThailand to spend US0 million on private VIP jets

    Thailand to spend US$250 million on private VIP jets

    The Cabinet approved an 8.8-billion-baht (US$270 million) budget to procure private VIP jets for members of the Thai royal family, ministers and honoured guests. Proposed by the prime minister’s secretariat and approved on Tuesday, the plan includes the procurement of new aircraft and components and the training of personnel. It’s just the latest of many curious budget decisions we can…

  • Hot NewsChina warns US with display of aircraft killer nuclear missiles

    China warns US with display of aircraft killer nuclear missiles

    The Chinese government has aired footage of aircraft carrier nuclear missiles, with military analysts taking it as a warning to the US. The dual-capable Dongfeng missiles are thought to pose a great threat to US aircraft carrier strike groups. The missiles, thought to be China’s most powerful nuclear-capable weapons, were unveiled in footage to mark National Day. But, as tensions…

  • World NewsTara Air plane crashes in Nepal, 22 feared dead

    Tara Air plane crashes in Nepal, 22 feared dead

    The Nepali Army has found the wreckage of a Tara Air plane scattered on a mountainside in Nepal after it went missing over the Himalayan mountains yesterday morning. On board the plane were 4 Indian nationals, 2 Germans, 13 Nepali passengers and 3 Nepali crew members. The army hasn’t yet reported whether they have found any survivors. The 43 year…

  • Thailand NewsTires of Royal Thai Air Force plane burst during landing in northeast Thailand

    Tires of Royal Thai Air Force plane burst during landing in northeast Thailand

    A Royal Thai Air Force aircraft is stuck on the runway of Ubon Ratchathani International Airport after both rear tires of the plane burst during landing at 11:30am this morning. The normal brake system failed to work so the pilot used the emergency brakes to prevent the plane skidding off the runway, causing the rear tires to burst, making it…

  • Bangkok NewsAirAsia plane lands on wrong runway in Bangkok

    AirAsia plane lands on wrong runway in Bangkok

    Today, Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority – or CAAT – reported a “serious incident” which took place earlier this month. On May 4, an AirAsia Airbus A320-200 landed on the wrong runway at Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport. The Thai AirAsia aircraft departed Ranong city at 12:43 and landed on Don Muang’s unassigned 21L runway at 13:36, instead of the 21R runway…

  • World NewsTibet Airlines plane bursts into flames during takeoff in southwest China

    Tibet Airlines plane bursts into flames during takeoff in southwest China

    A Tibet Airlines Airbus A319-100 veered off the runway and burst into flames during takeoff at an airport in Southwest China this morning. All 113 passengers were safely evacuated although 36 passengers suffered minor injuries, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, or CAAC. China’s aviation regulators are investigating the cause of the incident. In a statement posted on…

  • Thailand NewsPiece of suspected Chinese rocket washes up on Thai beach

    Piece of suspected Chinese rocket washes up on Thai beach

    What appears to be part of an aircraft, has washed up on a beach in Nakhon Si Thammarat province yesterday. A faded Chinese flag can be seen on the 1.2 x 3 metre sheet of aluminium, suggesting it could be part of one of China’s Long March Rockets used to send satellites into space. The sheet of metal washed up…

  • World NewsPilots announce end of US mask mandate mid-flight, passengers divided

    Pilots announce end of US mask mandate mid-flight, passengers divided

    Midway through a flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles on Monday night, the pilot announced the end of America’s requirement to wear face masks on public transport, including on planes. The sound of cheering resonated through the plane and around one third of passengers instantly took off their masks, according to a witness. However, some passengers were outraged and scolded…

  • Thailand NewsWhy are Thai Airways leasing 3 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft?

    Why are Thai Airways leasing 3 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft?

    Thai Airways is expanding its fleet by three this month despite going through an ongoing debt restructuring process. The airline is in the process of selling 45 unused jets, yet they are leasing three Boeing 777-300ER aircraft this month. Two 777-300ERs, adorned with Thai Airways paint jobs, landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport on April 5 and another is expected to…

  • Thailand NewsThai airlines urged to inspect all Boeing 737-800 aircraft following crash in China

    Thai airlines urged to inspect all Boeing 737-800 aircraft following crash in China

    After a Boeing 737-800 crashed in China, killing all 132 passengers on board, Thailand’s aviation officials have urged five Thai airlines to conduct thorough safety inspections of their 26 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Leading domestic airlines, including Nok Air and Thai Lion, must obtain a Certificate of Airworthiness for all operational 737-800s, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. China Eastern…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Officials move closer to declaring Covid-19 endemic

    Thailand News Today | Officials move closer to declaring Covid-19 endemic

    The requirement for overseas arrivals to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to departure from their home country could soon be scrapped. According to a report, the CCSA will discuss dropping the requirement when it meets tomorrow. Dr. Kiattiphum Wongrajit from the Public Health Ministry says international arrivals would still be required to take a PCR test on arrival…

  • Thailand NewsAircraft wreckage washes up on Nakhon Si Thammarat beach in Southern Thailand

    Aircraft wreckage washes up on Nakhon Si Thammarat beach in Southern Thailand

    Aircraft wreckage washed up on a beach in the southern province Nakhon Si Thammarat and provincial officers have called in aircraft specialists to investigate. A local official says locals found similar wreckage six years ago. A 3.16 metre long, 1.80 metre wide metal piece, weighing around 70 to 80 kilograms, was found on Tha Phraya beach. There were two spots…

  • Thailand NewsRoyal Thai Air Force says Thailand needs new fighter jets for national security

    Royal Thai Air Force says Thailand needs new fighter jets for national security

    New fighter jets are needed to improve Thailand’s national security and replace the current aircraft that are due to be decommissioned, according to the Royal Thai Air Force. The air force started a 10-year plan to decommission fighter jets in 2021, cutting the fleet in half by 2032. Officers say new jets are needed for main air defence operations. The…

  • Thailand NewsCash-strapped Thai Airways plans to buy 20 to 30 aircraft in 2025

    Cash-strapped Thai Airways plans to buy 20 to 30 aircraft in 2025

    UPDATE: The acting president for Thai Airways says the company does not plan to buy more airplanes in 2025 and if flight demand goes up, the company will consider renting first. A source told Nation Thailand that the airline plans to buy more planes when the aviation industry recovers, but acting president Chansin Treenuchagron says that is just a “rumour.” …

  • Thailand NewsThai Airways lays off hundreds of pilots under debt rehabilitation plan

    Thai Airways lays off hundreds of pilots under debt rehabilitation plan

    Hundreds of pilots will be laid off under Thai Airway’s debt rehabilitation plan. The cash-strapped airline, which is buried in a debt around 300 billion baht, has also decided to ground 3 types of aircrafts: the Airbus A330-300 and A380, and the Boeing 747. After months of tackling bankruptcy amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Thai Airways decided to lay off 395…

  • Tourism NewsThe world aviation industry suffers Annus Horribilis | VIDEO

    The world aviation industry suffers Annus Horribilis | VIDEO

    In the Asia-Pacific, where the affect of Covid-19 has been lower (at this stage), the passenger load was 30-40% down, compared to last year. Overall, international flights for the latter part of 2020 are down 75% year on year. The world’s aviation industry has been profoundly affected by the border closures and restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic…

  • Transport NewsBoeing’s 737 MAX takes its next step to re-enter commercial service

    Boeing’s 737 MAX takes its next step to re-enter commercial service

    The US Federal Aviation Administration has approved the next step for the beleaguered Boeing 737 MAX to resume commercial flights after a 20 month grounding. But the factors that partly contributed to the plane’s grounding have not been addressed leaving the plane reliant on software to control its flying characteristics. The plane, a fourth generation makeover of 50 year old…

  • World NewsSouth east Asia’s budget airline dilemma

    South east Asia’s budget airline dilemma

    South east Asia’s low-cost carriers are staggering as demand plunges, and countries are ever-wary about re-opening their borders, raising questions whether they will be needing any new planes in the short to medium term. Malaysia’s AirAsia Group and Vietnam’s VietJet are publicly canvassing their cashflow and funding problems. Indonesia’s Lion Air has shelved a planned flotation this year. But prior…

  • Covid-19 NewsQantas cuts 6,000 jobs to recover huge revenue losses

    Qantas cuts 6,000 jobs to recover huge revenue losses

    Australia’s Qantas Group is cutting at least 6,000 jobs after a massive revenue loss due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The jobs losses will be spread across all parts of the business while continuing to stand down 15,000 employees in an effort to recover. The Qantas Group includes the Qantas ‘full service’ brand and the JetStar discount airline offshoot. 20 % of…