Neelam Mathews
Dec 12,2012
Tony Fernandes is on a
roll. Air Asia confirmed another 100 Airbus A320 which further acknowledges its
dominance in Asia to have a record 475 narrow bodies on order with Airbus.
This order is part of
the AirAsia Group’s regional strategy to continue placing the airline ahead of
competition regionally with its extensive growth through new routes and added
frequencies.
The 100 Airbus A320s ordered consist of 36 A320s with the
Current Engine Option (CEO) and 64 A320s with the New Engine Option (NEO) to accelerate its
growth in its core markets Malaysia, Thailand & Indonesia followed by its
new markets Japan and the Philippines. Tony Fernandes founder said: “We confident all this added capacity will allow us to
continue to dominate Asean and springboard our expansion into North Asia, China
and India in short to medium term… In line with our growth plans, in 2013
through combination of firm Airbus deliveries and leases - Malaysia will take
delivery of 10 aircraft, Thailand – 8 , Indonesia – 9 aircraft, Philippines – 3
aircraft and Japan - 4 aircraft.”
The carrier has now ordered 475 single
aisle aircraft from Airbus, comprising 264 A320neo and 211 A320ceo. Over 100
aircraft have already been delivered to the airline and this additional purchase will see AirAsia’s
aircraft deliveries continue until year 2021.
Meanwhile, Indian airports have once again lost out as AirAsiaX,
the long-haul, low fare affiliate of AirAsia today announced that the
airline is increasing its flight frequency from Kuala Lumpur to Australia
(Melbourne), Taiwan (Taipei), and China (Chengdu) effective 1 May, 2013
onwards.
“AirAsia X remains focused in strengthening its network of its
core markets in Australia, Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan and the increase in
flight frequencies would further solidify our position in our key markets, “said
CEO Azran Osman-Rani.
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