Driven by the vision to become the world’s first low-cost narrowbody network carrier, AirAsia Berhad, a subsidiary of Capital A Berhad, has struck a deal worth USD 12.25 billion with Airbus. The paperwork states a firm order for 50 A321XLR aircraft, with the option to purchase an additional 20. The agreement was signed earlier this week in Paris, where Airbus also bagged an order from Malaysia Aviation Group.
The aircraft from the newly inked deal will be delivered between 2028 and 2032. The A321XLR, which offers the maximum range of any narrowbody in production today, will empower AirAsia to expand its wings beyond the current network.
“This is about exponential growth, connecting geographies beyond ASEAN, and making flying even more democratic. We gave people in ASEAN the opportunity to explore Asia – now we want the world to see ASEAN, and ASEAN to see the world,” said Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A and Advisor & Steward of AirAsia Group.
AirAsia has an all-Airbus fleet. The A321XLR, which promises up to a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption per seat compared to the A321neo narrowbody, will operate alongside the airline’s A320 Family and A330 aircraft. The carrier aims to ferry 150 million passengers per annum by the end of the decade, totalling up to 1.5 billion passengers since its inception.
NOTE: The featured image has been sourced from Airbus’ Newsroom portal.
