AirAsia has announced a new order for 70 Airbus A321XLRs.
AirAsia has announced a new order for 70 Airbus A321XLRs.
Worth around USD $12.25 billion, the order will comprise of 50 firm orders and rights for 20 additional of the long-range version of the A321 aircraft. As part of the Malaysia-based carrier's plan to become the world's first “low-cost narrow-body network carrier,” the aircraft are scheduled to be delivered from 2028 through 2032.
According to AirAsia, the A321XLRs will operate alongside the airline group's current fleet of narrowbody A320 Family and widebody A330 aircraft to support its long-term strategy to offer connections across Asia and beyond while maintaining a low-cost model through improved route economics, enhanced aircraft utilization, and fleet efficiency. The airline group plans to carry 150 million passengers per year by 2030.
The new order will add to AirAsia's previous order for 20 A321XLRs. Combined, the group has over 300 aircraft on order which would bring the total fleet of the AirAsia Group – which is currently being divested by Capital A to AirAsia X – to over 500 aircraft.
“This is about exponential growth, connecting geographies beyond Asean, and making flying even more democratic,” said Tony Fernandes, CEO, Capital A and Advisor & Steward of AirAsia Group. “We gave people in Asean the opportunity to explore Asia – now we want the world to see Asean, and Asean to see the world. The A321XLR and A321LR are the game-changers enabling this vision, and we are proud to lead the charge in making our world smaller.”
Christian Scherer, CEO, Commercial Aircraft – Airbus added: “We are pleased to confirm this agreement, as AirAsia Group begins its next development chapter. Having resumed its growth trajectory, which we salute and support, the airline is creating solid fleet efficiencies, allowing global network expansion. The A321XLR unlocks new opportunities for AirAsia to launch non-stop flights linking primary and secondary cities all around the globe.”
The AirAsia Group currently has a fleet of around 250 Airbus aircraft – including narrowbody A320/A321s and widebody A330s – spread across its subsidiaries based in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Currently operating flights to over 130 destinations across its network, the group expects to have a fleet of 300 aircraft before the end of the decade.
Powered by Froala Editor