Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia is in advanced talks with Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC to acquire narrow-body jets for its fleet.
“We’re in active discussions. I can confirm that,” the airline’s founder and CEO Tony Fernandes told CNA. “We are very serious about COMAC. We’re excited. It’s a big step forward to make this decision.”
He declined to disclose details on order size, delivery timeline or pricing, saying: “We’re evaluating. We’re in the process of understanding our order book.”Mr Fernandes stated that he has flown on COMAC aircraft operated by Chinese state-owned airlines.
He has also visited the company’s manufacturing facilities.
“(COMAC planes) have been flying very successfully in China. I visited the factory – they’re very dedicated (and) passionate,” he said.
“It’s a good product. We’re very serious about it. I think anyone who doesn’t look at it will pay the price in the long run.” “(But) we don’t buy Chinese planes just because we fly to China. We buy Chinese planes because they’re good, they’re the right price,” Mr Fernandes said.
“Chinese technology is proven. They make great cars, great mobile phones, great chips.”
Another appealing aspect, he added, is that COMAC – the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China – is ramping up aircraft production, which could lead to faster delivery times.
One of Asia’s largest low-cost carriers, the airline has a current all-Airbus fleet of 255 aircraft, with hundreds more on order. But persistent supply chain problems have delayed Airbus deliveries.
AirAsia is also reportedly considering Brazil’s Embraer E2 jets as it seeks to add smaller planes to its fleet for regional routes. Looking ahead, Mr Fernandes said AirAsia hopes to build a low-cost airline hub in the region to connect passengers to more places via short-haul flights.
“We want to build a Dubai in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok,” he said, referring to the Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s most connected gateway for international travel.
He acknowledged that Southeast Asia has major global hubs such as Singapore’s Changi Airport, but said they largely serve premium flyers.
“No one’s ever built a low-cost airline hub. My goal is to allow people to fly much further through a short-haul, narrow-body plane strategy. You can fly from one destination, connect, and go to another destination,” he added.
Mr Fernandes said AirAsia has yet to fully emerge from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. They company has been restructuring its plane order book.
He said he hopes to complete the restructuring process within the next two months, following which he expects to make an official announcement on COMAC jet acquisitions.
