AirAsia X has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to purchase 50 A330neo plus an additional 50 purchase rights with Airbus in a deal valued at US$13.8bil.
AirAsia X, the long haul, low fare airline affiliate of the AirAsia Group said late Tuesday this was the world's first airline commitment for the new version of the A330 launched by Airbus this week.
"The deal is valued at US$13.8bil at catalogue prices and deliveries will take place between 2018 and 2024," it said.
The agreement was signed at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK by AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani and Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégie.
Present to witness the signing of the MoU was and was witnessed by AirAsia X co-founder and director Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia X chairman Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and Airbus chief operating officer, customers, John Leahy.
AirAsiaX said the latest MOU from AirAsia X further consolidates the position of the AirAsia Group as one of Airbus's largest airline customers in the world. In total the Group has ordered 536 aircraft Airbus, excluding today's MOU. These include existing orders from AirAsia X for 61 Airbus Widebody aircraft.
The A330-800neo and the A330-900neo are two new members of the Airbus Widebody Family launched in July 2014 with first deliveries scheduled to start in Q4 2017. The A330-neo incorporates latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features.
The A330neo reduces fuel consumption by 14% per seat, making it the most cost efficient, medium range Widebody aircraft on the market.
Airbus said A330neo operators will also benefit from a range increase of up to 400 nautical miles and all the operational commonality advantages of the Airbus Family.
Fernandes said AirAsia had been encouraging Airbus to launch this new version of the A330 for some time now.
"I am pleased that they are offering this choice and bringing us the aircraft we truly need to develop further our low cost long haul model.
“We are 100% sure that the A330neo will be quite unbeatable in its size category and we look forward to enabling more people to fly further more often aboard this great aircraft."
Rafidah said as AirAsia X grows its network by building hubs across the region, it was important to continue to innovate on all fronts including the latest and most efficient aircraft to provide a hassle free travel experience as it connects its long haul network and that of the AirAsia Group.
