The Airasia Group is considering ordering up to 150 new aircraft as the “final work” of its long-term fleet strategy, and will announce its decision as early as August.
Founder Tony Fernandez confirms that the low-cost airline group is “discussing” with at least two aircraft manufacturers. This was later disclosed to be an E2 Family Aircraft, and an Embler for the A220 program. Fernandez also reveals that AirAsia is in talks with China's AirFramarcomac.
“(We) are looking at it very aggressively… we want to announce it next month. There are two candidates for that aircraft order, and (order) completes our network strategy.
Fernandez's comments confirm previous media reports that AirAsia is considering acquiring a small aircraft with up to 150 seats to grow its fleet.
His remarks followed AirAsia's first post-pandemic aircraft order, and announced the commitment of the 50 Airbus A321XLR and the conversion rights for 20 more jets.
The new A321XLRS allows AirAsia to “fly around the world with a narrow person.”
At the Paris Air Show in June, Fernandez told Flightglobal that AirAsia is in the market for more aircraft for the growth of the future fleet, but will not announce orders at the biennial show.
