THAI targets to become world top five airlines in 2017

BANGKOK, November 25 (TNA) - Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, has targeted to become the world's top five airlines by 2017. THAI President Charamporn Jotikasthira told journalists of the target on November 24, when he announced that the national airline's reform plan has been successful, turning THAI to have gained operational profits again after encountering losses for five quarters. Charamporn said THAI has completed two phases of reform, the first of which was focused on cutting operational losses by canceling non-productive flights and selling a fleet of 38 unused aircraft. At the same time, Charamporn revealed, THAI has boosted its revenues by adjusting its sale strategies and ticket prices in line with the changing situation and seasons, both of which have raised its cabin factor per flight from 65 per cent on average to 74 per cent on average. The THAI president set a target to raise the national airline's cabin factor to 80 per cent on average by 2017. According to the THAI president, the national flag carrier will enter its phase-three reform next year, in which it plans to provide excellent services for sustainable growth in order to compete with other world-class airlines and sets a target to become one of the world's top five airlines in 2017. Besides, THAI has mapped out a new operational plan over the next five years, during which it will purchase 32 new planes to add to the existing fleet of 95 aircraft, bringing the total number to 127, with the first seven new planes to be delivered next year to be used for long-haul flights to Europe. (TNA)