Reference: THAI fails to transfer four long-range jets, Bangkok Post, September 11, 2009

The A-340 is dead having lost its entire market share to twin engine designs because it is expensive to operate. There are now only 18 orders left in the books at Airbus for the A-340 and even these few orders are disappearing fast as cancellations come in. There is no residual demand for this aircraft in the airline or air cargo market and THAI's failure to find a single operator to bid for it is testament to this well known reality. It is surprising to read that the staff at THAI were "dumbfounded" when they received no bids except from an aircraft dismantler who is offering junkyard prices (THAI fails to transfer four long-range jets, Bangkok Post, September 11, 2009). One would think that those who work for an airline would have been clued in to current market conditions.

Cha-am Jamal
Thailand