AirAsia announced a historic agreement with Airbus to purchase 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with options for another 150 planes in the future, which marks the largest firm order for the A220 aircraft type by any airline globally.
The landmark deal, is approximately USD19 billion at list prices, which was announced during a ceremony at the Airbus facility in Mirabel.
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, and CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, Lars Wagner and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, attended the event.
The agreement is a major shift in AirAsia’s future fleet plans, which focuses on a more fuel-efficient and high-frequency narrowbody network model. AirAsia will also become the global launch customer for the new high-density 160-seat configuration of the A220 aircraft.
The airline has said the aircraft will help to increase flight frequencies one existing routes while also opening access to smaller and high-growth markets that were previously not commercially viable.
According to AirAsia Group CEO Bo Lingam, they have range of up to 7 hours creates new opportunities for connectivity across Asia and beyond.
More Efficient and Environmentally Friendly
The A220 is considered one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in it’s class, which consumes 20% less fuel and producing approximately 20% lower emissions compared to older aircraft models.
The order also supports AirAsia’s long term plan to phase out again fleets while strengthening operational efficiency in the rising fuel costs.
Tony Fernandes has described this as AirAsia’s ambition to build “the world’s first true-low cost network carrier”. Delivery are expected to begin in 2028, with the aircraft serving routes all over ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region.
The expansion is expected to free up larger aircraft for longer traveling routes connecting destinations in Europe, Australia and North America.
Sources: AirAsia Newsroom
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