The low-cost carrier Thai Lion Air expands its fleet with two new Airbus A330neo aircraft, as it prepares for the resumption of international and air cargo flights.
The pair of new A330neos arrived at the airline’s base at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) from the Airbus aircraft facility in Toulouse, France, on October 7, 2021.
Thai Lion Air Airbus A330neo has a capability to seat up to 436 passengers. Airbus A330neo, which comprises two versions, the A330-800 and A330-900, has a range of 13,334 kilometres and can reach a top speed of 0.86 Mach (1,054 kilometres per hour).
Thai Lion Air currently has 12 aircraft in its fleet with an average age of five years old, according to Planespotters.net. The airline’s fleet comprises six Boeing 737-800s, three Boeing 737 MAX 9s, two Airbus A330neo aircraft, and one Boeing 737-900ER.
In a statement, Thai Lion Air announced that it will deploy two new A330neos for international routes once Thailand reopens borders for tourists.
According to Reuters, Thailand plans to reopen Bangkok to fully-vaccinated tourists in October 2021. Other popular destinations in Thailand such as Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai will be reopened afterwards.