THAI acquires two most advance jetliners

BANGKOK, March 13 (TNA) - Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, has acquired two new most advance jetliners, Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 777-300ER, which His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyedej names Samut Prakan and Medininat respectively. Acting THAI President Chokchai Panyayong, who is also THAI's Senior Executive Vice President for Strategies and Business Development, on Thursday attended an aircraft anointing ceremony for the two new jetliners. Chokchai then told journalists that he is confident THAI should return to its profitable operations this year, after facing a loss of about 12 billion baht last year due to a cost hike. The acting THAI president assessed that the national airline's revenues should grow by 3-4 per cent year-on-year this year, as THAI has cut its flights due to the declining number of Chinese passengers, who account for 40 per cent of all its passengers, but THAI expects more Chinese tourists will return to Thailand in the second quarter of this year, as the domestic political situation is relieving. The acting THAI president, meanwhile, assured that THAI meets international safety standards for the sake of its passengers. (TNA)