AirAsia to buy 100 Airbus planes

MANILA, Philippines -  Philippine’s AirAsia Inc. is set to launch more international routes and at the same time increase flight frequencies in existing routes as part of a refleeting program undertaken by its parent firm AirAsia with the acquisition of 100 Airbus aircraft.

 AirAsia Inc. chief executive officer Maan Hontiveros said in a statement that the acquisition of new aircraft by its parent firm would allow the airline to further expand its operations.

 “The new order from Airbus will pave the way for Philippine’s AirAsia expansion plans. We are set to launch two new international routes from Clark International Airport to Singapore and to Taipei this December,” Hontiveros stressed.

 “This early our guests can look forward to even more exciting routes from AirAsia as we add connectivity to other parts of Asia as well as increase frequency to existing routes starting next year making air transport via Clark more exciting than ever,” she added.

 The AirAsia Group confirmed purchase of another 100 Airbus A320 which further acknowledges its dominance in Asia to have a record 475 narrow bodies on order with Airbus as part of its regional strategy to continue placing the airline ahead of competition regionally with its extensive growth through new routes and added frequencies.

 The 100 Airbus A320s ordered consist of 36 A320s with the Current Engine Option and 64 A320s with the New Engine Option (NEO) to accelerate its growth in its core markets Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia followed by its new markets Japan and the Philippines.

 In line with growth plans, in 2013 through combination of firm Airbus deliveries and leases – Malaysia would take delivery of 10 aircraft, Thailand – eight, Indonesia – nine, Philippines – three, and Japan – four aircraft.

 The order was announced during a visit by British Prime Minister David Cameron to the Airbus wing manufacturing facility at Broughton in the UK, where Cameron witnessed the signing of documents by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, group chief executive officer, AirAsia and Fabrice Brégier president and CEO, Airbus.

 The contract reaffirms AirAsia’s position as the largest A320 Family customer in the world. Altogether, the carrier has now ordered 475 single aisle aircraft from Airbus, comprising 264 A320NEO and 211 A320CEO.Over 100 aircraft have already been delivered to the airline and this additional purchase will see AirAsia’s aircraft deliveries continue until year 2021.“We have three gold mines in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. On the other hand, Philippines and Japan have enormous potential growth. With these added aircraft, it goes in-line with our strategy to further build our already extensive network through new routes and added frequencies and allow AirAsia to maintain its market leadership and dominance especially in Malaysia and Thailand,” AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said.

 As Japan and Philippines are new in the AirAsia family, he said the company’s focus would be to grow profitably, maintain lower cost and ensure its position as the number 1 brand in these markets.

 “AirAsia is one of the great success stories of recent years in the airline business. The repeated confidence the airline places in the A320 is a clear endorsement of the reliability, efficiency and unbeatable operating economics offered by the world’s most modern single aisle product line,” Airbus president and chief executive officer Fabrice Brégier said.