AirAsia Receives First Airbus A320neo

16th Sep 2016

Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer said today upon receiving the first Airbus A320neo from France that he estimates the Malaysian budget carrier to be short eight to nine aircraft in 2017.

Fernandes said:

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.

Also present at the delivery of the first of several Airbus A320neo planes that AirAsia has ordered from the French aircraft manufacturer were AirAsia X Bhd Group Chief Executive Officer Kamarudin Meranun, Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai, Ambassador of France in Malaysia Christophe Penot, High Commissioner of Britain in Malaysia Victoria Marguerite Treadell, CFM International Executive Vice President Allen Paxson and representatives from Airbus.

AirAsia Bhd is the first South Asia-based airline to fly the CFM International LEAP-1A-powered Airbus A320neo. In addition, the Malaysian carrier can also be considered Airbus’ number one customer when it comes to the A320 family. AirAsia has a total order of 575 A320s, of which 404 are A320neo.

World’s and Asia’s best low-cost airline according to World Airline Awards, has ordered 100 A321neo planes this year in July at the Farnborough Air Show for RM52 billion (US$12.6 billion).

A320neo is the Fastest-Selling Commercial Plane

Kiran Rao, Executive Vice President at Airbus said that the overall demand for the A320neo for the next 20 years was 22,000 aircraft. According to Mr. Rao, the French manufacturer sold nearly 5,000 Airbus A320neo aircraft to this point, making it the fastest-selling commercial plane.

Airbus executive VP 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.

Rao also said that the A320neo could help airlines reduce their fuel consumption by 15 per cent and help them lower their maintenance cost as well.

The delivery of A320 comes at a perfect time for AirAsia to prepare for the growing demand of ASEAN air travel.