AirAsia X orders three A330-200s
Malaysian long-haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X has ordered three Airbus A330-200 widebody twinjets, with options for two more. The first two aircraft will be delivered in 2012 and the third in 2014.
The airline now has outstanding orders with Airbus for 19 A330s, including 16 -300 variants, and ten of the manufacturer’s proposed A350 jetliners. Nine A330-300s have already been delivered to the carrier, while A350 deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2015.
AirAsia X is currently considering introducing flights to Berlin, Cologne, Moscow and Nice over the next two years, using its A330-200s. The carrier’s network now covers 15 destinations, including London (Stansted), Paris (Orly), Tianjin, Hangzhou and Tehran. Flights to Christchurch will be launched in April.
According to Chief Executive Officer Azran Osman-Rani, the airline carried 1.92 million passengers last year and expects to fly 2.7 million in 2011. The airline predicts that it will earn revenue of about RM2 billion (US$666 million), an increase of about 54 per cent.
Former Minister of International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz has recently been appointed non-executive chairman of AirAsia X, replacing Kamarudin Meranun. Rafidah says her first task is to assist the airline in securing rights to operate to destinations that it is struggling to secure.
She cited Sydney as her top priority, as AirAsia X wants to strengthen its foothold on the Australian market. The carrier’s network in the country now covers Melbourne, Perth and the Gold Coast.
