Thai Airways’ profit surges amid tourism boom

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BANGKOK (XINHUA) – Thai Airways International (THAI) reported a nearly triple profit in the final quarter of last year (Q4) as foreign arrivals to the Southeast Asia destination picked up further, data showed recently.

According to an annual financial statement, the national flag carrier’s net income for the Q4 of 2022 rose to THB11.15 billion from THB4 billion registered a year earlier.

Operating income for the period grew more than fivefold to THB8.9 billion from a THB2.6-billion deficit in the previous year, making the airline’s total revenue soar by 367 per cent to THB36.9 billion, according to the statement filed with the Thai Stock Exchange (SET).

THAI reported an 84.3-per-cent decrease in operating loss excluding one-time items to THB4.59 billion last year, down from a THB29.19-billion loss in 2021, while total operating revenue in 2022 increased 342 per cent to THB105 billion, the statement said.

After filing for bankruptcy protection in 2020, THAI planned to exit its rehabilitation earlier than scheduled in late 2024 and resume trading on SET in two years, its new chief executive officer said earlier in February. Since early this year, THAI has started to operate flights to China’s major cities to meet the rising demand. It is also expected to boost the number of flights, add new routes, and expand its fleet to achieve its rehabilitation plan.

A Thai Airways jet sits on the tarmac at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. PHOTO: AP