05 October 2009

AirAsia delays delivery of eight more A320s

KUALA LUMPUR ââ¬' AirAsia will delay delivery of eight A320-200 aircraft originally scheduled for 2011. The deferments will push back deliveries to 2014.

This means the low-cost carrier will now defer a third or 16 of 48 aircraft deliveries scheduled for 2010 and 2011, after making a similar move in July when it deferred the delivery of eight aircraft for 2010.

The budget carrier is also unwinding all its leases with GE Commercial Aviation Services and other lessors for early return of 13 B737s.

It will also sell two of its own B737 aircraft to hasten its move towards using one aircraft type for greater efficiency.

The Malaysian Insider reported that AirAsia boss Tony, Fernandes also attributed the aircraft deferment in 2011 to doubts over the completion of the new Kuala Lumpur low-cost carrier terminal.

This is despite assurance from Malaysia Airports Holdings the new terminal will be completed on time by the third quarter of 2011.

AirAsia became the largest customer for the Airbus A320-200 in December 2007 after it placed a firm order for a total 175 aircraft, with an option for 50 more.

The budget carrier has so far taken delivery of 63 A320s, which are used for its services in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

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• AirAsia Leads the Way!
  
  

  Undoubtedly AirAsia's magic formula is Tony Fernandez. Apart from a short stint as an auditor with Virgin Atlantic he has been with non-airline endeavors including Virgin Records and Warner Music Group. Maybe this is the answer to BA's problems - fire Willy and hire someone from outside the air industry?

  By J Hewson, Tuesday, October 6, 2009