Malaysia-based low-cost airline Air Asia is likely to place an order for an additional 50 Airbus A320 aircraft worth $4bn at list prices, following the delivery of its 100th A320 aircraft.
Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fernandes was quoted by Reuters as saying that the right analysis for an aircraft order had not been made yet.
"We have to look at whether we buy or lease. My sense is that we are short of aircraft, and our team is now evaluating," he said.
Air Asia is planning to add the current version of Airbus’s passenger jets, the A320 aircraft, into its fleet while it awaits an enhanced fuel-efficient version of the 150-seat aircraft, which it had ordered in large numbers in 2011.
The deal will further extend the budget carrier’s growth and facilitate to expand its routes, following its previous record order for 200 refurbished A320neo aircraft worth $18bn in mid-2011.
The airline said that its new route structure comprises 50% of routes not operated by other carriers, and will deploy A320’s on many of the routes and will further launch access to many airports further supporting its goal of transporting 33 million passengers in 2012.
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By GlobalDataPowered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G PurePower from or CFM International’s LEAP-X engines and equipped with Sharklets large wing tip devices, the A320neo aircraft can provide 15% fuel savings and an additional flight distance of 950km.
The new A320 version, offering 95% airframe commonality, will produce 3,600t less CO2 for each aircraft a year, while providing the claimed double-digit reduction in NOx emissions.
Image: Air Asia officials during the delivery of 100th A320 aircraft at Airbus Toulouse facility in France. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.
