Page 35 - AAA JULY - SEPTEMBER 2019 Online Magazine

[ AIRLINES ]

Gearing Up

ASIAN LCCS CONTINUE TO ADD “We are proud to welcome the future of long-haul low-cost travel
AIRCRAFT TO THEIR FLEETS with this state-of-the-art aircraft, while at the same time being the
for guests across Asia Pacific. “We remain committed to taking
full advantage of this revolutionary aircraft as we look forward to
Atul Chandra offering the best value and comfort for long haul air travel. AirAsia X
Thailand currently operates 12 aircraft and targets to receive 2 more
Asian Low Cost Carriers (LCC) are likely to face by the end of this year. From next year onwards, we will receive
a highly challenging environment into 2020 but an all-Airbus A330neo fleet,” says AirAsia X Group CEO Nadda
will continue to maintain the pace of aircraft Buranasiri. In August, Airbus received firm orders from AirAsia
inductions as they seek to defend/enhance X for 12 additional 12 A330neos, in addition to an order for 30
market share. In September, International Air A321XLR single-aisle Extra Long Range aircraft. The A321XLR will
Transport Association (IATA) announced slow- be available from 2023 and provide 15 per cent more range than
ing global passenger demand growth for July, the A321LR, of up to 4,700 nm with 30 per cent lower fuel burn per
which marked a soft start to a peak passen- seat, when compared with previous generation competitor aircraft.
ger demand season. Specific to Asia-Pacific AirAsia X Thailand’s new A330neos (HS-XJA and HS-XJB), will be
carriers (full service, LCC and regional carri- based out Don Mueang Airport and allow the network expansion of
ers), their growth in July traffic of 2.7 per cent AirAsia’s long-haul operations from Thailand, with scheduled ser-
was the weakest performance in six years. vices to destinations throughout Asia Pacific. AirAsia X Thailand’s
“US-China and Japan-South Korea trade ten- A330neos will initially operate on existing long-haul routes from
sions as well as political tensions in Hong Kong Bangkok to markets such as Japan, Australia, China and South
all have weighed on business confidence,” the Korea. AirAsia X is also looking at expanding beyond the eight-hour
IATA said in a statement. flight radius from Bangkok, to markets such as Europe. AirAsia has
configured the cabin of its first two A330neo aircraft to accommo-
AirAsia Inducts Airbus date 12 Premium Flatbeds and 365 standard seats. In addition to
A330neo more personal space for passengers, the aircraft features larger
The first two Airbus A330neo aircraft were cabin storage, ambient mood lighting and power sockets.
inducted into Air Asia at Don Mueang airport
in September. The new widebody long-haul Cebu Pacific Adds ATR 72-500 Freighters
jetliners will play a crucial role in Air Asia’s Philippine LCC Cebu Pacific (CEB), is in the midst of an expan-
future plans and will be operated by AirAsia X sion spree and aims to fly 200 million passengers by 2020. The
Thailand, which becomes the first Thai oper- carrier is expanding its route network and upgrading its fleet to
ator of the A330neo. AirAsia X is the largest bigger and more fuel-efficient aircraft. CEB was slated to receive
customer for the A330neo with 78 firm orders. 12 brand new aircraft in 2019, which included six Airbus A321neo;

ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE July/August/September 2019 | 35