Airbus: Major endorsement for the A330neo as AirAsia X confirms orders for 55 new jets
AirAsia’s long haul offshoot AirAsia X co-founded by Malaysian-British entrepreneur Tony Fernandes has placed a firm order with Airbus for 55 A330neo aircraft.
AirAsia X’s have now ordered a total of 91 of the A330 neo aircraft. which confirms them as the biggest operator of the fuel efficient medium range wide body aircraft.
Today’s announcement covers the firming up of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 50 A330 neo signed during the Farnborough Air Show in July 2014, plus an additional five aircraft.
Deliveries of the newly-ordered aircraft will begin in 2018.
Memorandum of Understanding was signed for at the Farnborough Airshow earlier this year.
“This latest deal with Airbus will enable AirAsia X to consolidate its growth rate in 2015-2017 before ramping up deliveries from 2018 onwards.” said Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X. “The A330 has proven itself to be exactly the right aircraft for our business model, combining low operating costs, long range flying capability and high levels of comfort. We are extremely excited about the even greater levels of efficiency that will come with the A330neo, which will play a key role in enabling AirAsia X to maintain its position as the long haul low cost leader.”
“This order from AirAsia X is a major endorsement of the A330neo as the most cost-efficient aircraft in its size category,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “With the A330neo in its fleet, AirAsia X will benefit from even lower operating costs as it expands it network and reach, enabling more people to fly further more often than ever before.
