KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 30): AirAsia today signed an agreement for a firm order of 30 A321XLR and 12 additional A330neo aircraft from Airbus to join the budget airline's future long-haul fleet.

In a statement today, AirAsia said the 12 additional A330neo aircraft will take the total from 66 to 78 A330neos on order by the airline.  

"The introduction of the A321XLR provides AirAsia X with greater flexibility to better manage capacity on key routes as well as respond to seasonal demand.

"The A321XLR also gives AirAsia X an advantage when it comes to exploring opportunities to operate non-stop flights between Southeast Asia and secondary cities in countries like Australia, China and Japan," AirAsia said.

AirAsia today also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Airbus to support the development of the Malaysian aerospace industry.

AirAsia said Airbus will expand its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) presence in Malaysia and establish the Airbus Malaysia Digital Initiative to enhance the competitiveness of the local aerospace sector through the application of new digital technologies, in line with the Government’s vision to make Malaysia a regional aerospace hub.

"Airbus will also boost its commitment to the Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (AMIC) — of which it is a founding member — by appointing an Innovation Technical Director and increasing its funding for joint research programmes, including into the production of sustainable aviation biofuels in Malaysia," AirAsia said.

AirAsia Group Bhd executive chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said in the statement Airbus’s commitment to investing to expand its industrial presence here will deliver significant benefits to the economy, through job creation and by transforming industry best practice.

"By ensuring Malaysia remains at the cutting edge of global aerospace developments, we will be able to future proof the local industry and guarantee our future competitiveness.

“As a company that prides itself on sustainability, AirAsia continues to lead the way in driving sustainable operations and tourism. Not only do we invest heavily in new, more fuel-efficient aircraft, we have also begun looking into alternative jet fuel solutions,” Kamarudin said.