The role of the airbus A380-800 aircraft in a fullservice network airline's commercial operations and route network design: the case of Thai airways international

摘要

Aircraft fleet deployment androute network design are two of the most critical elements of an airline’sbusiness model. Using an in-depth exploratory case study research design, thisstudy examined the role of the Airbus A380-800 aircraft in Thai Airways Internationalcommercial operations and route network design during the 2017/2018 winterflight schedule period. The qualitative data was examined by document analysis.Thai have deployed their Airbus A380-800 aircraft on routes from Bangkok toFrankfurt, Osaka’s Kansai International Airport, London and Paris and return.The services are targeted at both the premium (first/business) and leisuretravel market segments. The Airbus A380 services from Bangkok to London willproduce the greatest number of ASKs (1.42 billion), AFTKs (45.1 million) andATKs (195.0 million). This is followed by Paris with 1.41 billion ASKs, 44.4million AFTKs and 192.4 million ATKs. Frankfurt is the third largest marketwith 1.34 billion ASKs, 42.3 million AFTKs and 183.2 million ATKs. The dailyAirbus A380-800 services between Bangkok and Kansai International during the2017/2018 winter flight schedule period will produce 620.2 million ASKs, 19.5million AFTKs and 84.6 million ATKs. The European services generate 87 per centof the Airbus A380-800 fleet’s available seat kilometres (ASKs), availablefreight tonne kilometres (AFTKs) and available tonne kilometres (ATKs).