AirAsia X places firm order for 55 A330neo

Toulouse, France – AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of Asia’s largest low cost airline, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 55 A330neo aircraft. This is the largest single order to date for the A330 family and reaffirms AirAsia X’s position as the biggest A330 airline customer worldwide, having now ordered a total of 91 aircraft. The announcement firms up a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 50 A330neo signed during the Farnborough Air Show in July 2014, plus an additional five aircraft. Deliveries of the newly-ordered aircraft will begin in 2018.

 

“This latest deal with Airbus will enable AirAsia X to consolidate its growth rate in 2015-2017 before ramping up deliveries from 2018 onwards.” said Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, co-founder and director of AirAsia X. “The A330 has proven itself to be exactly the right aircraft for our business model, combining low operating costs, long range flying capability, and high levels of comfort. We are extremely excited about the even greater levels of efficiency that will come with the A330neo, which will play a key role in enabling AirAsia X to maintain its position as the long haul low cost leader.”

 

“We look forward to AirAsia X becoming one of the first operators of the latest version of the highly successful A330,” said John Leahy, chief operating officer, Customers, Airbus.

 

Building on the A330ceo, the A330neo will incorporate latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements, and new cabin features. These advances promise to reduce fuel consumption 14% per seat, increase non-stop flying range up to 400nm, and lower maintenance costs.

 

Source: Airbus