THAILAND – Following on from last week's stories concerning developments in the Vietnamese and Chinese air freight sectors comes the news that Thai Airways has just taken steps to increase its own air freight capabilities.
The airline has signed a deal with US operator Southern Air to lease all the cargo space available on two of their new Boeing 777-200 wide-body freighters. The arrangement is the first step to Thai Airways finally realising their announced intention to expand into the cargo market, a strategy that has long been delayed by a lack of suitable aircraft.
The agreement with Southern means that Thai will be able to offer a dedicated air freight service from 2010 which will initially operate from Bangkok to Europe, with expansion into a broader Asian and the North American and Australasian markets ultimately envisaged.
If the cargo routes prove successful Thai is expected to convert some of its own 747’s or acquire new freighters once the agreement with Southern expires in 2012.
(pic: © The Boeing Company)
http://www.thaiair.com/about-thai/company-profile/en/company-profile.htm
