AirAsia has unveiled plans to launch the world’s first low-fare network carrier. The announcement was made during the welcome ceremony for Airbus’s Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer, who visited AirAsia’s HQ on 22 February.
With its large orderbook and growing fleet, AirAsia intends to launch new routes with this range of different aircraft via its multi-hub strategy, leveraging its 22 years of experience through its airlines in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
AirAsia currently has a large orderbook of 647 aircraft, consisting of 612 A320 Family and 35 A330 Family aircraft, 362 A321neo, 20 A321XLR, and 15 A330neo to be delivered over the next decade. The carrier has not taken any deliveries of aircraft since the Covid pandemic in 2020, but will resume its A321neo deliveries this year, starting with the first post-pandemic delivery in June.
Once it receives the first A321XLR, AirAsia will become one of the largest operators of this longer-range, fuel-efficient, new-specification narrowbody aircraft.
The introduction of the A321XLR and the expanding opportunities created by the A321LR will enable greater flexibility on existing short- to medium-haul routes and network expansion, including never before included markets like North Asia, Australia and Central Asia.
AirAsia also plans to replace the A320 over the coming years from its hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Manila with the A321LR.
With its widebody aircraft, the A330, AirAsia will look to expand its medium- to long-haul network to Europe and Africa. It will also expand its North American routes via Japan and Europe.
“Airbus’s continuous support and commitment to AirAsia is a testament to our partnership, and I cannot thank Christian and the Airbus team enough. Throughout all odds, we managed to survive and come back better, stronger than ever,” said Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, the investment holding company of AirAsia.
Image credit: AirAsia
