AirAsia X Signs LOI with ILFC for Six Airbus A330-300s

AirAsia X has signed a letter of intent with International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) for the lease of six Airbus A330-300.

The aircraft are the same model as those that AirAsia X purchased directly from Airbus, with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines and a maximum take-off weight of 233 tons.

The six aircraft which are scheduled for delivery between 2013 and 2014 will be operated on the carrier’s expanding network in Asia Pacific.

AirAsia X will lease the six aircraft on a 10-year lease term. The six leased aircraft will be reconfigured to meet AirAsia X’s existing Airbus A330-300 configuration of 12 Premium Flatbeds and 365 Economy seats.

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X said, “These six aircraft, together with existing delivery orders from Airbus, will see AirAsia X’s growth develop, with a total of seven deliveries each in 2013 and 2014, with the aim of being the dominant market leader in the low-cost long-haul segment. We intend to deploy the additional capacity with a vision to solidify our positions in our identified core markets, including Australia, China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan.”

ILFC Chief Executive Officer, Henri Courpro, said, “ILFC is pleased to welcome AirAsia X as our new customer in the Asia Pacific region. This new partnership will support the long-haul business of AirAsia X and reinforce the airline's position in low-cost segment of the market.”

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Interviews, Pictures, Sports Tourism, Videos, AirAsia, Tune Hotels, AirAsia X, ILFC, Airbus, A330-300