Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia is close to a deal to buy up to 100 Airbus A320 jets as a part of its efforts to expand internationally.
Negotiations are at the final stage, reports Reuters, but it is not likely to be closed in time to be announced at Berlin Airshow, which will be held from 11-16 September.
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The deal for fuel-saving A320 airplanes is potentially worth $9bn and is expected to drive growth of the budget carrier.
AirAsia, which operates a fleet of 116 aircraft, placed an order for 200 Airbuses in 2011.
The low-cost carrier has so far placed an order for 375 Airbus jets, as a part of its strategy to expand in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
The latest development ends speculation over negotiations between AirAsia and Canada’s Bombardier to purchase a CSeries jet, an aircraft to rival Airbus’s revamped 320 and Boeing’s upgraded 737.
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By GlobalDataAirAsia’s deals could toughen competition with one of Boeing’s biggest customers, Indonesia’s low-cost carrier Lion Air.
The airline plans to bring forward deliveries to meet growing demand and to offset high fuel costs.
Reuters quoted US aerospace analyst Scott Hamilton as saying that the region that AirAsia served has a population of 600 million people, which is more than the US or Europe, highlighting the potential.
A320 aircraft can accommodate up to 150 passengers in a typical two-class arrangement, and about 180 people with high-density seating.
Airbus A320 jet also features fly-by-wire flight controls, with optimised fuselage improving comfort for passengers.
Image: AirAsia’s deal for 100 Airbus A320 jets could be worth $9bn. Photo: courtesy of Airbus SAS.
