SEPANG: Low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd plans to bring forward the delivery of its new Airbus A320neo aircraft next year to cater for the growing demand of Asean air travel.
Group chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said based on estimations, AirAsia would be short of eight to nine aircraft next year.
“I think we will take delivery of those aircraft quicker than anticipated.
“But until I lock in those numbers firmly and whether they can come from Airbus or the lease market, I can’t confirm the delivery number yet,” he said after welcoming
AirAsia’s first A320neo, here, yesterday.
Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, French Ambassador to Malaysia Christophe Penot, British High Commissioner to Malaysia Victoria Marguerite Treadell, AirAsia X Bhd group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and CFM International executive vice-president Allen Paxson.
Fernandes said AirAsia’s Malaysian operations would see the highest load factor of more than 90 per cent in the third quarter while its affiliates in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia would continue to see strong growth.
AirAsia is the first airline in Southeast Asia to operate the A320neo, which is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines.
AirAsia is also Airbus’s biggest customer for the A320 family, with a total of 575 aircraft ordered. Of the total, 404 are the A320neo.
Airasia had ordered 100 A321neo aircraft worth US$12.6 billion (RM52 billion) at the Farnborough Air Show in July.
Meanwhile, Airbus executive vice-president (stategy and marketing) Kiran Rao said the overall demand for new aircraft for the next 20 years was 22,000 planes.
Airbus had sold close to 5,000 A320neo aircraft to date, which made the model the fastest-selling commercial plane, he said.
“The aircraft is doing very well. We have a huge customer base. We have great success not just with the A320 but also the A321, which can seat up to 240 passengers,” said Rao.
He also said airlines could reduce fuel consumption by 15 per cent and lower their maintenance costs with the A320neo.