(Posted 07th July 2025)
- AirAsia has agreed to buy up to 70 Airbus single-aisle jets
Not long after announcing the withdrawal from the Nairobi route has Air Asia now ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR;s with options for a further 20 such aircraft. Deliveries are due to start in 2028 and should be concluded by 2032.
The A321XLR is the most advanced long range single aisle aircraft currently on the market and has made major inroads into the long haul market on less density routes with demand for non stop flights, making a return to Nairobi at a later stage possible..
AirAsia, one of Southeast Asia’s largest budget carriers, plans to use the XLRs to open up routes in China, India and other parts of the Asia-Pacific, but also to Europe, that would be uneconomical for larger wide body planes.
AirAsia reportedly plans to also open a Gulf hub this year and extend its flight network further to some European destinations.
The airline is also looking to order up to 150 more jets to complete its 15-year strategy, the airline’s CEO Tony Fernandes said. He said the company is in talks with Airbus over the fate of an earlier order for A330 widebodies, an aircraft category he’d prefer to exit, likely in favour of the more advances A350.
Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus said: “We are pleased to confirm this agreement, as AirAsia Group begins its next development chapter. Having resumed its growth trajectory, which we salute and support, the airline is creating solid fleet efficiencies, allowing global network expansion.’
