Thai Airways International wants to lease up to four long-range wide-body jets from other Asian airlines after a delay in the delivery of new planes led to a shortfall in aircraft capacity. Thai needs the jets to cope with growing demand for its European routes.

Thailand's flag carrier, which returned to profit in the fourth quarter, is in talks with two unnamed Asian airlines to lease two to four Boeing 777-300ERs, for up to three years, according to the Bangkok Post.

Delivery of five new Airbus A330-300s, which should be flying by now, was postponed indefinitely because of the Japanese aircraft seatmaker Koito Industries' failure to install seats in the economy section of the planes. This prompted Thai to cancel the contract with Koito and to seek new seat suppliers.

The Thai airline's ageing B747-400 jumbo jets, which are used on European routes, need frequent maintenance and are often out service.

Thai hopes leasing up to four new planes will ease its capacity problems until new aircraft, especially the A380 double-decker megajets, join its fleet over the next few years. The six megajets are due for delivery in 2012 and 2013 and will be used mainly on European routes.

Thai is seeking leases from airlines looking to scale back their fleets rather than from aircraft-leasing companies in the hope of getting a better deal. The national carrier is looking for B777-300ERs that have three classes and a business class equipped with flat-bed seats.