Thai Airways International has unveiled the second phase of its new aircraft acquisition plan.

The company aims to buy 38 new aircraft, to be delivered from 2018 to 2022, said the Star Alliance carrier. It is in the process of selecting the aircraft, and the plan is not yet approved by its board.

Thai announced on 13 June that it will acquire eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 12 Airbus A350s as part of a 37-aircraft order. The company will spend Thai baht (Bt) 119 billion ($3.89 billion) on the 37 aircraft, to be delivered from 2012 to 2017. Thai's board has approved this acquisition.

Thai has said the new aircraft acquisition would help it develop a modern, efficient and safe fleet. "In addition, acquiring new aircraft which are made from lightweight and non-corrosive composite materials to replace retiring aircraft will save fuel and maintenance cost," it added.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news