Unperturbed by aviation industry headwinds, Air Asia Group this morning announced a huge fllet expansion.
AirAsia X Berhad revealed a deal with Airbus valued at approximately US$19 billion for 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with the strategic flexibility to upsize the commitment to 300 of the same aircraft subject to future demand.
The landmark agreement represents the single largest firm order for the A220 type placed by any airline globally.
The move signals a decisive shift in AirAsia’s future fleet strategy, prioritising operational discipline and margin protection in an evolving global market, the airline said in a statement.
The order was officially announced at a ceremony at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, attended by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A and Lars Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft (above).
With the order, AirAsia makes history as the global launch customer for the high-density, 160-seat configuration - which the airline sees as perfect for its short- and medium-haul routes.
This opens up smaller, high-growth markets and secondary hubs that were previously commercially unviable.
“AirAsia has spent more than two decades making the world smaller," said Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Group.
"We built Malaysia into the world's top low-cost carrier hub, and we opened up air travel to millions of people across Asia who had never flown before.
"This plane gives us the ability to build the biggest and densest network, serving as a vital tool for efficiency. Its range of up to seven hours opens up entirely new possibilities, and allows us to match right-sized capacity to demand and give our guests the flexibility to fly whenever they want through increased frequencies."
Lars Wagner, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft said: “The A220 will provide an optimal platform for AirAsia, combining low operating costs with the latest technology to maximise productivity and also open up new routes across Asia that were not feasible before."
Upon delivery from 2028, the aircraft will service destinations across Asia, and into the Pacific, freeing up larger A320s and A321s to mid-haul routes, and A330s to fly longer-haul routes into Europe, Australia and North America.
AirAsia X Berhad revealed a deal with Airbus valued at approximately US$19 billion for 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with the strategic flexibility to upsize the commitment to 300 of the same aircraft subject to future demand.
The landmark agreement represents the single largest firm order for the A220 type placed by any airline globally.
The move signals a decisive shift in AirAsia’s future fleet strategy, prioritising operational discipline and margin protection in an evolving global market, the airline said in a statement.
The order was officially announced at a ceremony at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, attended by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A and Lars Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft (above).
With the order, AirAsia makes history as the global launch customer for the high-density, 160-seat configuration - which the airline sees as perfect for its short- and medium-haul routes.
This opens up smaller, high-growth markets and secondary hubs that were previously commercially unviable.
“AirAsia has spent more than two decades making the world smaller," said Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Group.
"We built Malaysia into the world's top low-cost carrier hub, and we opened up air travel to millions of people across Asia who had never flown before.
"This plane gives us the ability to build the biggest and densest network, serving as a vital tool for efficiency. Its range of up to seven hours opens up entirely new possibilities, and allows us to match right-sized capacity to demand and give our guests the flexibility to fly whenever they want through increased frequencies."
Lars Wagner, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft said: “The A220 will provide an optimal platform for AirAsia, combining low operating costs with the latest technology to maximise productivity and also open up new routes across Asia that were not feasible before."
Upon delivery from 2028, the aircraft will service destinations across Asia, and into the Pacific, freeing up larger A320s and A321s to mid-haul routes, and A330s to fly longer-haul routes into Europe, Australia and North America.
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