Airbus is set to announce a massive deal for A320 and A330 family aircraft with Malaysia's AirAsia, which launches its long-haul low-fares arm AirAsia X today in Kuala Lumpur.
Industry sources say the Malaysia-based low-cost carrier’s top executives will be in the UK capital on Monday to unveil an order for over 30 Airbus A320s. The total order, including options, could exceed 100 A320s, they add. One well-placed source also says Airbus has agreed to deliver some of the aircraft before 2012.
The airline, which currently operates 15 A320s and 35 Boeing 737s with another 85 A320s on firm order, requires more A320s due to its rapid expansion and its associate carriers in Thailand and Indonesia. The group has plans for services to India and additional services to China and the Philippines.
AirAsia X is poised to take the A330-300 for its launch in July. The carrier, which is being set up by AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes and several of his associates, plans to launch in July with three leased aircraft and have the purchased aircraft arrive later
One well-placed industry source, however, says Airbus and AirAsia X may fail to conclude negotiations for A330s in time to make Monday’s announcement.
AirAsia X plans to launch in July with services from Kuala Lumpur to Tianjin and Hangzhou in China and from Kuala Lumpur to the UK, says Fernandes.
He says the Malaysian government has granted AirAsia X traffic rights to Birmingham and Manchester, and that it was looking at granting rights to London.
Fernandes says they are considering the A330-300 and Boeing 777-300ER for AirAsia X, which will operate only one aircraft type. He describes Airbus’ A330 replacement, the A350XWB, as the perfect aircraft for AirAsia X. However, he adds that they are first looking at the A330 as the A350XWB is a new aircraft type under development and will only be available in later years.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
