Thai Airways capacity growth to slow on jet engine shortage

[BANGKOK] Thai Airways International says a shortage of aircraft engines is hampering its expansion, with seat capacity growth set to slow in 2026.   

The airline will cap capacity growth at 4 per cent in 2026, chief executive officer Chai Eamsiri said in an interview. That is down from 10 per cent in 2025. 

Engine overhauls for the carrier’s Rolls-Royce-powered Airbus A350s will take six months, rather than the usual three.

The engine delays are part of a broader industry stress, which other operators are facing, Chai said.

Meanwhile, the Thai carrier said on Friday (Nov 14) that third-quarter net income tumbled 65 per cent to 4.4 billion baht (S$176.8 million), as revenue dropped 4 per cent.

Chai attributed the sharp fall in profit to foreign exchange gains in the year-earlier period, that did not occur in the latest quarter.

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