THAI shelves U-Tapao MRO until aviation sector recovers
Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is suspending its joint investment plan for a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at U-Tapao Airport until the aviation sector recovers, said THAI's acting president Chansin Treenuchagron on Monday.
He said that only an aerospace company or airline would be keen on investing in the project.
The global aviation industry is currently struggling under the impact of Covid-19.
Asked if THAI would reapproach Airbus SAS to become a partner, he said the carrier was in talks with all potential parties.
Airbus SAS passed the bidding for the MRO but pulled out of the project, failing to deliver its proposal by this year’s April 20 deadline. THAI reasoned that Airbus was not in a position to join the venture after being hit by the Covid-19 impact.
THAI is currently focused on developing a business rehabilitation plan under the bankruptcy court and is in the process producing a final figure for its debt.
The airline is expected to launch another early retirement programme next year to cut costs, said Chansin. THAI currently has about 19,000 employees.
