Low-cost airline AirAsia X has finalised a $15bn order for 55 Airbus A330neo airliners, becoming the biggest customer for A330 aircraft with 91 on order.
The firm order includes a memorandum of understanding signed in July this year for 50 A330neo and an additional five aircraft.
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AirAsia X co-founder and director Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said: "This latest deal with Airbus will enable AirAsia X to consolidate its growth rate in 2015-17, before ramping-up deliveries from 2018 onwards.
"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."
The A330neo is built based on the A330ceo aircraft, and is equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features.
The new improvements are said to offer 14% per seat in fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs and increase in flying range of around 400nm.
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By GlobalDataAirbus COO Customers John Leahy said: "With the A330neo in its fleet, AirAsia X will benefit from even lower operating costs as it expands it network and reach, enabling more people to fly further more often than ever before. We look forward to AirAsia X becoming one of the first operators of the latest version of the highly successful A330."
AirAsia X has selected Rolls-Royce to provide Trent 7000 engines, as well as TotalCare support for its ten A330ceo and 55 Airbus A330neo aircraft.
Image: AirAsia X now has 91 A330 family aircraft on order. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.
