AirAsia signs MOU for 40 Airbus with another 40 on Option

The rapidly expanding low cost carrier, AirAsia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the purchase of 40 A320s plus a further 40 options. The MOU signing was undertaken by Mr Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Asia and Mr John Leahy, Chief Commercial Officer of Airbus at a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. Deliveries of the first A320s will commence in late 2005 and continue through 2011.

“Air Asia is ever committed to offer a quality product and a quality service to its guests. The new A320 aircraft would be introduced gradually into AirAsia Group’s entire fleet, which includes our operations in Thailand through Thai AirAsia, and Indonesia, through the newly re-launched AWAIR.” Said Tony Fernandes,Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia.

“Over the past 12 months, the A320 Family has proven to be the outstandingly popular choice with both start-up and established low-cost carriers in the Asia Pacific region and I am delighted to welcome AirAsia to this dynamic group. With its superb economics and high passenger appeal, the A320 is sure winner that will further spur AirAsia’s success,” said John Leahy, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus.

The A320 offers optimum cabin comfort in its class, reflecting a common commitment that is found in all Airbus aircraft. And like all the passenger aircraft that Airbus produces today, it features many modern technology features at no extra charge – such as advanced fuel-saving aerodynamics, including winglets, widespread weight-saving carbonfibre composites, and pilot and maintenance-friendly fly-by-wire controls and centralised maintenance.

The Airbus A320 Family comprises a variety of seating configurations that allow for a customized layout depending on the airliner’s needs. All of them share the same airframe – only the fuselage lengths are different – and the same cockpits, systems and engines, delivering unmatched operational commonality and savings to airlines.

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