AirAsia X has firmed up an order for 55 Airbus A330neo, or new engine option, aircraft.
The Asia-based low-cost carrier has converted a Memorandum of Understanding for 50 of the updated and re-engined Airbus A330 model signed in July, and added a further five frames.
Airbus said in a statement on Monday (European time) deliveries were due to commence in 2018.
The AirAsia X group of airlines, which operates long-haul routes from its bases in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, was the largest A330 customer having ordered a total of 91 aircraft, Airbus said. It currently operates an all A330-300 fleet.
AirAsia X co-founder and director Tony Fernandes said this latest aircraft order would allow the airline group to “consolidate it growth rate in 2015-2017 before ramping up deliveries from 2018 onwards”.
The airline group has suffered heavy losses in recent times due to overcapacity in the markets in which it operates and signalled a slowdown in growth and aircraft deliveries in the period ahead.
Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia X recently announced it would stop flying to Adelaide from January due to the route being unprofitable.
