Latest news with #AirAsiaBhd
The Star
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
AirAsia nears deal for Airbus narrowbody jet
The advanced discussions for extra-long-range narrowbody aircraft could still end up with no deal. KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Bhd is nearing an agreement to buy dozens more Airbus SE single-aisle aircraft in a deal that could be announced during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's state visit to France this week, according to people familiar with the matter. The South-East Asian low-cost carrier is working on an expanded aircraft purchase with the European planemaker, which supplies all its aircraft, said the people who declined to be identified discussing private matters. The advanced discussions for extra-long-range narrowbody aircraft could still end up with no deal, they said. AirAsia has 240 mostly single-aisle aircraft in its fleet, and a backlog of more than 350 orders for the top-selling A320 family of jets. The budget carrier has also been discussing an order for up to 100 of Airbus' smaller A220 jets. — Bloomberg
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
AirAsia signs US$12.25 billion deal for 50 A321XLRs with rights for 20 more
PETALING JAYA: AirAsia Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital A Bhd, has signed a landmark agreement with Airbus valued at US$12.25 billion (RM51.75 billion) for 50 A321XLRs with rights for 20 more. With the agreement, the airline is taking a major step towards becoming the world's first low-cost narrow-body network carrier, anchored by its multi-hub strategy. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery from 2028 through 2032. Witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the agreement was signed in Paris on Friday between Capital A CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer. Fernandes, who is also adviser and steward of AirAsia Group, said: 'We pioneered low-cost travel in Asia – now we are taking it to the next level. AirAsia is on a transformative journey to become the world's first low-cost network carrier. This is about exponential growth, connecting geographies beyond Asean, and making flying even more democratic. 'We gave people in Asean the opportunity to explore Asia – now we want the world to see Asean, and Asean to see the world. The A321XLR and A321LR are the game-changers enabling this vision, and we are proud to lead the charge in making our world smaller. We can't wait to paint the skies even wider in red.' Scherer 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. The A321XLR unlocks new opportunities for AirAsia to launch non-stop flights linking primary and secondary cities all around the globe.' The next-generation A321XLRs will operate alongside AirAsia's all-Airbus fleet of A320 and A330 aircraft, supporting its long-term strategy to deliver connectivity across Asia and beyond, while maintaining a low-cost model through improved route economics, enhanced aircraft utilisation and fleet efficiency. AirAsia Group aims to carry 150 million guests annually by 2030, reaching a cumulative total of 1.5 billion guests since inception. The new fleet plays a pivotal role in this transformation. AirAsia's multi-aircraft strategy enables the airline to match capacity with demand, reduce fuel consumption and support a sustainable, cost-effective growth model in a highly competitive global landscape. The A321XLR offers up to 20% lower fuel burn per seat than the Airbus A321neo aircraft, significantly improving emissions performance and operating efficiency.
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
AirAsia buys 50 Airbus A321XLR for RM51.7bil in bid to be global low-cost airline
KUALA LUMPUR: Capital A Bhd, the parent company of AirAsia Bhd, has announced a landmark order for 50 Airbus A321XLR (extra long-range) aircraft in a deal valued at RM51.7 billion (US$12.25 billion). The acquisition comes with the conversion rights for 20 more aircraft as the airline embarks on a bold step towards becoming a global low-cost network carrier. Capital A chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the order marks a significant shift for AirAsia, which will be one of the largest operators of the extra long-range A321XLR once deliveries begin in 2028 through 2032. "This order enables us to have a narrowbody fleet that can cover the world. It's really transformative. "We believe we can build the world's first low-cost narrowbody network carrier," he said in a media briefing yesterday. Fernandes signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the aircraft order with Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO, Christian Scherer yesterday in Paris. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The aircraft order was a year in the making, Fernandes said, adding that it is a crucial step in AirAsia's long-term strategy to expand globally without the high-risk cost structure of widebody aircraft. He said AirAsia would evolve into a low-cost network airline akin to Qatar Airways or Emirates, except that the budget carrier will be flying more narrowbody aircraft. "Seven per cent of our passengers already connect through Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok onto another flight," Fernandes said, adding that the airline can be a network carrier. He also said that the order is a clear signal that AirAsia's post-pandemic recovery and restructuring efforts are on track. "This shows the confidence we have going forward. As I said at the Paris Airshow that we wanted to make sure we had a clear path to restructuring, a raising of capital and getting all our aircraft back into operation." "We now feel that the worst is over, and so we've got to start planning for growth; before we miss this opportunity as slots get taken up," Fernandes added. The A321XLRs, with a flying range of up to nine hours, is set to reshape AirAsia's global footprint by enabling long-haul, point-to-point routes using narrowbody jets. The aircraft will allow AirAsia to adopt a similar model to Middle Eastern carriers, using a single-stop hub approach to connect Southeast Asia to Europe and the Americas. Fernandes said AirAsia plans to build a Middle East hub to connect Asia to Europe and further aims to establish a stopover in Europe for onward connections to America. For West Coast US routes, the budget carrier is eyeing destinations such as Japan as a connecting hub. "We're hoping to launch our first European flight this year," Fernandes said, adding that the initial flights will use existing A330s until the new A321XLR arrives. "I can announce Istanbul is around the corner, as well as one destination in Western Europe and three or four Eastern European destinations," he added. The A321XLR is expected to significantly lower AirAsia's operating costs and unlock markets previously inaccessible due to range and aircraft size limitations. Compared to the 380-seat A330, the 240-seat A321XLR offers more flexible deployment and stronger yield management, Fernandes said. He projected AirAsia's fares to Europe and the U.S. to be 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than the current market averages. "Our goal is to not take anyone's market share. It's to allow people to fly to places they never dreamt of flying," Fernandes said, adding that AirAsia's network will also open opportunities for cargo. The A321XLR aircraft will also enable more frequent flights, faster turnarounds, and access to secondary cities in Asean. Fernandes said cities like Penang, Johor Bahru, and Bali could be potential launch points for long-range XLR flights. "We can start using XLR from Bali, Penang and Johor Bahru. Johor's Senai Airport will be a big play for us," he added.
Malaysian Reserve
30-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
AirAsia X, Capital A extend aviation restructuring deadline to July 31
AirAsia X Bhd and Capital A Bhd have extended the deadline for their aviation business restructuring deal by two months – from May 31 to July 31, 2025 – to allow time for finalising the terms of AirAsia X's RM1 billion private placement and securing regulatory and lender approvals. In filings to Bursa Malaysia, the companies noted that due diligence for AirAsia Aviation Group and AirAsia Bhd has been completed. The proposed restructuring involves AirAsia X acquiring AirAsia Aviation Group for RM3 billion and AirAsia Bhd for RM3.8 billion, alongside a RM1 billion fundraising exercise led by a sovereign wealth fund. AirAsia X's shares closed 2.33% lower at RM1.68 today, with a market capitalisation of RM751.1 million. Capital A slipped 2.3% to 85 sen, valuing the group at RM3.7 billion. — TMR
New Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
AirAsia X seeks shareholder nod for new related-party deals worth over RM43mil
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) is seeking shareholder approval for several new related-party transactions (RPTs) worth over RM43 million. This includes a RM42 million base maintenance services agreement with Asia Digital Engineering Sdn Bhd, the group said in a bourse filing. The proposals, to be tabled at the company's annual general meeting on June 18, also cover a RM945,000 customer services partnership with Move Travel Sdn Bhd and a RM1.5 million merchandising arrangement with Move Duty Free Sdn Bhd. At the same time, AirAsia X is proposing to renew its existing shareholder mandate for RRPTs involving services such as aircraft leasing, inflight catering, insurance, advertising and cargo operations. These involve entities linked to Capital A Bhd, AirAsia Bhd and other associated companies. Among the most significant RRPTs are cargo-related transactions with Teleport Everywhere Pte Ltd valued at RM288 million, platform services from AirAsia MOVE Sdn Bhd estimated at RM75.7 million and inflight catering and merchandise procurement from Santan at RM57.7 million. AirAsia X said the transactions are part of its ordinary course of business and will be conducted on normal commercial terms, with no special treatment given to related parties. The parties involved include directors and major shareholders such as Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and Datuk Fam Lee Ee, who are linked to both AirAsia X and the related companies. In a separate filing, the group announced that Kamarudin, who is also a non-independent executive director, has declared his intention to deal in the company's shares during the closed period ahead of its financial results. Kamarudin holds a direct stake of 8.54 per cent, or 38.17 million shares, and an indirect stake of 29.31 per cent, or 131.03 million shares, via a combination of personal holdings and stakes through Tune Group and AirAsia Bhd.
