Thai Airways International has selected International Aero Engines' V2500 engine as it continues to expand its fleet of A320-series aircraft. Thai, the national carrier of Thailand, has placed an order for five purchased and six leased aircraft as it establishes a new low-cost regional carrier - Thai Smile.

First deliveries to Thai will commence in 2012. Engines will be maintained under a comprehensive fleet-hour agreement and support program.

This is the second order by Thai, which has nine A320 series V2500-powered aircraft in service.

"We are certainly proud that Thai recognizes the value that V2500 offers by placing an order to power its new initiative," explained IAE President Ian Aitken. "We focus on continuously making our engine more efficient while also increasing its capabilities to enable customers such as Thai to be more competitive by providing higher quality service to its Thai Smile customers."

IAE is a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise of Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines. More than 4,800 V2500s in service have been delivered so far, with nearly 2,000 more engines on order and close to 200 customers around the world.

Contributed by IAE