ROUTES - Malaysia's AirAsia X targets Istanbul as new hub for Europe

AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur International) is shifting its long-haul strategy towards Türkiye as the new intercontinental hub, after geopolitical tensions disrupted its earlier Gulf plans, Capital A chief executive Tony Fernandes said at a press conference.

"We're about to do a partnership with a very large Turkish airline, which will give us a huge European network," Fernandes said, quoted by Skift. He added that network plans and operations initially intended for Bahrain International are now being trialled in Istanbul. The Gulf airport, which AirAsia X planned to turn into a fifth-freedom connecting hub for its European operations, remains closed to all commercial traffic due to the risk of Iranian strikes.

AirAsia X earlier planned to launch services to London Gatwick via Bahrain from June 26, 2026, and to base up to 100 aircraft at the Gulf airport.

The airline continues to sell tickets on the Kuala Lumpur International-Bahrain-London Gatwick fifth-freedom route.

In a LinkedIn post dated March 16, 2026, Fernandes said amid the conflict, demand had strengthened for travel to Europe via Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

Fernandes said the airline would seek to offset higher fuel costs through revenue and cost control, while maintaining low fares. It expects to return most of its aircraft from storage by end-April 2026 to improve operational reliability.

FLEET - Malaysia's AirAsia X plots six narrowbodies in 2026

AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur International) is planning to begin narrowbody operations in 2026 with six narrowbodies, either A321-200NX or A321-200NX(LR)s, according to chief executive Benyamin Ismail, as reported by Aviation Week.

Speaking at the MRO Asia-Pacific conference, Ismail said the jets would allow the airline to launch new routes to North Asia and China directly from Kuala Lumpur International.

AirAsia X itself does not have any A321-200NX or A321-200NX(LR) in its order book. Its only commitments are for up to twenty A321-200NY(XLR)s and fifteen A330-900Ns, ch-aviation data shows. However, sister carrier AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) has outstanding orders for thirty-six A321-200NX(LR)s and 322 A321-200NX. As part of the ongoing restructuring of the carriers and their parent entity Capital A, AirAsia X will acquire AirAsia from the holding, and the two airlines will merge under a single certificate, presumably also consolidating their outstanding order books.

In July 2025, AirAsia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for fifty A321-200NY(XLR)s, plus options for twenty more. At that time, the holding suggested that the order for the A330-900Ns will be dropped to focus on long-range narrowbodies.

Separately, AirAsia X aims to return three A330-300s to service, which are currently parked due to Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engine issues, by year-end. Ismail added that it would also induct one additional used A330-300 in 2026.

According to ch-aviation fleets data, AirAsia X operates nineteen A330-300s, of which thirteen are currently active.

 CH Aviation

HYBRIDS c/s - GARUDA INDONESIA / A330-343 / HS-XTA / MSN: 662 - Thai AirAsia X Livery

Leased by Garuda Indonesia to serve 2025 Hajj flight from SOC
Medan - Kuala Namu (KNO / WIMM) Indonesia

Photo:Wilbert Tana

SPECIAL SCHEME - AIR ASIA X / A330-343 / 9M-XXU - New collaboration with Sega and Sonic The Hedgehog livery is born

Photo:Chaity
 

AirAsia X orders 12 more A330neo and 30 A321XLR aircraft

AirAsia X, the long-haul unit of the AirAsia Group, has finalised a firm order with Airbus for an additional 12 A330-900 and 30 A321XLR aircraft. The contract was signed by Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Chairman, AirAsia X Berhad and Guillaume Faury, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus in Kuala Lumpur today, in the presence of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia Group, who was present at the signing, said: “This order reaffirms our selection of the A330neo as the most efficient choice for our future wide-body fleet. In addition, the A321XLR offers the longest flying range of any single-aisle aircraft and will enable us to introduce services to new destinations. Together, these aircraft are perfect partners for long-haul low-cost operations and will allow us to build further on our market leading position in this fast-growing sector.”

Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Chairman of AirAsia X Berhad, said: “Today’s announcement is testament to our confidence and commitment to longer haul air travel. This is the future of our long-haul operations. The A330neo’s revolutionary new features and modifications will move our long-haul service sectors up to a higher level and allow AirAsia X to look at expanding beyond the eight-hour flight radius, such as to Europe, for example.”

Guillaume Faury, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus commented: “AirAsia X has been the pioneer of the long-haul low-cost model in the Asia-Pacific region. This new order for the A330neo and A321XLR is a true endorsement of the Airbus solution to meet mid-market demand with a combination of single-aisle and wide-body products. This powerful solution will provide AirAsia X with the lowest possible operating costs to expand its network and enable even more people to fly further than ever before.”

The new contract increases the number of A330neo aircraft ordered by AirAsia X to 78, reaffirming the carrier’s status as the largest airline customer for the type. Meanwhile, the A321XLR order sees the wider AirAsia Group strengthen its position as the world’s largest airline customer for the A320 Family, having now ordered a total of 622 aircraft.

AirAsia X currently operates a fleet of 36 A330-300s on services to points within the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. In addition, in August, the first A330neo joined the fleet of AirAsia’s Bangkok-based long haul affiliate, AirAsia X Thailand. The aircraft is the first of two leased A330neos joining the airline’s Thai affiliate by the end of the year.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. From 2023, it will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700 nm – 15% more than the A321LR and with 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft.



The A330neo is a true new generation aircraft building on the A330’s success and leveraging on A350 XWB technology. It incorporates the highly efficient new generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, and a new higher span 3D optimised wing with new Sharklets. Together these advances bring a significant reduction in fuel consumption of 25% compared with older generation competitor aircraft of a similar size. The A330 is one of the most popular wide-body families ever, having received over 1,700 orders from more than 120 customers.

AirAsia X confirms US flights to launch in late 2Q17

AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) has formally announced it will begin flights to the United States later this summer. The AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) longhaul unit said in a statement it will run a 4x weekly Kuala Lumpur Int'l-Honolulu, Hawaii, via Osaka Kansai, Japan, service beginning June 28. Operations are on-board A330-300 equipment.

"This is the game-changing destination we have all been waiting for," AirAsia X Group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said. "We wish to thank all relevant authorities and governments for their support. Their vote of confidence made today's unique route launch possible and we will continue to work closely with all parties to ensure we can connect more people through this flagship intercontinental route."
At present, AirAsia X's operations extend to Japan, China, Nepal, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Australia, and New Zealand. Plans are reportedly afoot to resume flights to London Gatwick this year as well using B777-300(ER) widebody machinery.

ch aviation

AirAsia X returned to Delhi (DEL) on 3 February with the resumption of flights from Kuala Lumpur

the long-haul LCC will serve the 3,874-kilometre route four times weekly with its A330-300s and face direct competition from Malindo Air (10 weekly flights) and Malaysia Airlines (daily flights). AirAsia X had previously served this route between August 2010 and March 2012. This summer the carrier will serve a total of 17 destinations non-stop from Kuala Lumpur, the same as last summer. While Colombo and Tokyo Narita have been dropped, Sapporo/Chitose and now Delhi have been added. Since the airline’s launch in November 2007 it has launched services to 32 destinations of which 15 have subsequently been dropped. 

aenna

AirAsia X to order HGW A330s for European flights

AirAsia X (D7, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) is planning to acquire an unspecified number of HGW (High Gross Weight) A330-300s to be used in resuming services to Europe next year. The A330-300 HGW is seven tonnes heavier than the standard version, which weighs in at 233 tonnes, and features a strengthened wing and additional fuel capacity giving the aircraft a range of 11,300 kilometres.

Acting chief executive officer (CEO) of the AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur Int'l) longhaul subsidiary, Benyamin Ismail, told Malaysia's Star newspaper in an interview last week that his airline will meet Airbus Industrie (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) officials this week over the conversion of some of AirAsia X's twenty-three outstanding A330 firm orders into HGW variants. Deliveries are slated to begin before the middle of 2016, just in time for the launch of flights to London.

In a bid to bring forward its return to the United Kingdom, the LCC is exploring the possibility of leasing two aircraft from an undisclosed Middle Eastern carrier. However, should the deal go ahead, it would require a stop in the Middle East leading to some doubts about the proposal's viability.

AirAsia X used its fleet of A340-300s during its last foray into Europe which ended in 2012. Back then, the airline blamed high fuel prices, "exorbitant" taxes, and weak travel demand for its withdrawal. 

ch-aviation

AirAsia X Eyes London, Hawaii

AirAsia X Bhd is targeting to fly to Hawaii and London within the next eight months, said AirAsia Bhd head honcho Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

Fernandes revealed that the long-haul, no-frills airline had plans for a destination in Europe, but declined to elaborate further.

"It's going to be a sexy route," he said.

"We have to go back to Europe. By being in Europe and the U.S., it would change the brand profile quite dramatically," he told reporters after the launching of Wisma Tune.

It was reported recently that AirAsia X had applied to fly to Hawaii.

Meanwhile, AirAsia X group chief executive officer Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said the airline was working on streamlining its operations, managing capacity and reducing cost.

He said the airline had since February embarked on an internal restructuring exercise.

"There were operational inefficiencies and redundancies in our operations. We are going to drop some of our routes and are also looking at 'exclusive' routes like Hawaii," he explained.

"I am pushing to have the Hawaii and Europe routes before December this year," Kamarudin said.

He added that cost-saving measures between AirAsia X and AirAsia were being implemented, such as having one ground handling and renegotiating airport charges.

"I am fairly confident we can turn this around. We see bookings coming in and yields are moving up," Kamarudin said.

He said that foreign exchange and fuel costs would continue to be the main challenges, as 70% of its cost was exposed to the U.S. dollar.

Meanwhile, Fernandes said the Tune Group has been exploring opportunities for an initial public offering (IPO) exercise for its hospitality arm, Tune Hotels Regional Services Sdn Bhd, and mobile services provider Tune Talk Sdn Bhd.

"I think both Tune Talk and Tune Hotels are candidates for potential IPOs. Tune Talk's profitability is growing very quickly," he said.

However, Fernandes did not provide any timelines for the IPOs.

The privately-held group's units include Tune Air (a substantial shareholder of low-cost carrier AirAsia), Tune Hotels, Tune Money, Tune Insurance, Tune Talk, Tune Box, Tune Studios, Queens Park Rangers Football Club and the Epsom College in Malaysia.

"We do believe in the public market. We are disappointed at the share price of AirAsia X, but at the end of the day, if we perform, it will reflect in our share prices."

"We believe we are worth more and we believe that our results would be better this year," he said, referring to AirAsia X's share price performance.

Yesterday, AirAsia X's share price closed one sen lower at 45 sen, giving it a market capitalisation of 1.07 billion Malaysian ringgits. Year-to-date, its share price has fallen almost 30% from 64.5 sen.
AirAsia's share price closed one sen lower at 2.28 Malaysian ringgits.

The Star Online

Photo:Alain Charpentier - TLD

AirAsia X places firm order for 55 A330neo

Carrier to benefit from even lower operating costs for long haul services

AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of Asia’s largest low cost airline, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 55 A330neo aircraft. This is the largest single order to date for the best-selling A330 Family and reaffirms AirAsia X’s position as the biggest A330 airline customer worldwide, having now ordered a total of 91 aircraft. The announcement covers the firming up of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 50 A330neo signed during the Farnborough Air Show in July 2014, plus an additional five aircraft. Deliveries of the newly-ordered aircraft will begin in 2018.

“This latest deal with Airbus will enable AirAsia X to consolidate its growth rate in 2015-2017 before ramping up deliveries from 2018 onwards.” said Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X. “The A330 has proven itself to be exactly the right aircraft for our business model, combining low operating costs, long range flying capability and high levels of comfort. We are extremely excited about the even greater levels of efficiency that will come with the A330neo, which will play a key role in enabling AirAsia X to maintain its position as the long haul low cost leader.”

“This order from AirAsia X is a major endorsement of the A330neo as the most cost-efficient aircraft in its size category,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “With the A330neo in its fleet, AirAsia X will benefit from even lower operating costs as it expands it network and reach, enabling more people to fly further more often than ever before. We look forward to AirAsia X becoming one of the first operators of the latest version of the highly successful A330.”

Building on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the A330ceo, the A330neo will incorporate latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features. These advances will make the aircraft the most cost-efficient in its size category, with a reduction in fuel consumption of 14% per seat, an increase in non-stop flying range of up to 400 nautical miles and the lowest possible maintenance costs.
The A330 Family is part of the world’s most modern and comprehensive widebody product line, which also includes the larger A350 XWB and double deck A380. Together, the various versions of the aircraft efficiently cover all airline widebody requirements for regional, medium and long haul operations, seating from 250 to over 500 passengers and sharing unique levels of operational commonality.

Indonesia AirAsia X to make debut in late December

Indonesia AirAsia X is set to commence scheduled long haul operations on December 22 this year. According to the YPPH Updates blog, the AirAsia subsidiary will offer a 5x weekly Denpasar to Melbourne Tullamarine service on-board an A330-300 aircraft.

Photo:Kobayashi - Taipei Taoyuan Int'l Airport - RCTP - Taiwan

AIR ASIA X - A330-300 - F-WWKD

Alain Charpentier - TLS

AIR ASIA X - A330-300 - 9M-XXO - "Thank you Captain Park"

Darren Koch - Perth - Australia

AirAsia X orders 25 more A330-300s

Airline embarks on major expansion with popular Airbus widebody




The contract was signed in Paris today by Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X and Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO, Airbus, witnessed by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Co-founder and Director of AirAsia X. 

AirAsia X will start taking delivery of its newly-ordered A330-300s in 2015 as it begins a major expansion of its network across the Asia-Pacific region. The new order includes the latest extended range versions of the A330-300, providing the carrier with the ability to offer non-stop service to destinations in Europe or one-stop service to the US.

Tan Sri’ Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X said, “This order stamps our firm intent to dominate the long-haul, low cost carrier space and marks the next phase in our development to be the undisputed global market leader. Our commitment would allow us to remain as the youngest wide body fleet age in the region at under five years throughout 2019, with corresponding competitive fuel efficiency, reliability and cabin comfort benefits.”

“The aircraft orders would further cater to our expansion plans in Malaysia, and the proposed new Thai AirAsia X hub as well as other long-haul ventures planned across Asia. The developments will complement the AirAsia Group's long-term vision of developing its presence in key markets in Asia and strengthen the connectivity between long-haul and short-haul low-cost network.”

“AirAsia X has proven that it is possible to build a highly successful low cost long haul business,” said Fabrice Brégier President and CEO, Airbus. “And the A330 is the perfect platform for such operations, with the lowest operating costs, true long range flying capability and a proven track record of exceptional technical reliability. We look forward to working with AirAsia X as it continues to innovate in the low cost long haul market.”

AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of the AirAsia Group, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 25 more A330-300s. The contract is the largest A330 order received by Airbus in a single purchase agreement and increases the carrier’s total firm orders for the type to 51. These will be supplemented by another six A330-300s leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

AirAsia X currently operates 16 A330-300s on services linking its Kuala Lumpur base to destinations in Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific. In addition to A330s, the carrier also has 10 A350-XWB aircraft on order for future delivery.

The latest order from AirAsia X further consolidates the position of the AirAsia Group as one of Airbus’s largest airline customers in the world. In total the Group has now ordered 536 aircraft from the manufacturer. These include 475 A320 Family single aisle aircraft for AirAsia’s short haul operations based out of Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila, plus the 51 A330s and 10 A350 XWBs for AirAsia The twin engine A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,280 orders for the various versions of the aircraft. More than 1,000 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with almost 100 operators worldwide.