AirAsia Prepares for Large Order for Airbus A321XLR

Southeast Asia’s leading low-cost carrier AirAsia is nearing a major order agreement with Airbus, specifically for the A321XLR model. The deal is expected to be announced during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s state visit to France, according to Bloomberg.

This potential order highlights AirAsia’s regional and long-haul expansion ambitions, as well as its alignment with Malaysia’s economic and diplomatic strategies.

The Airbus A321XLR stands out as the long-range version of the A320neo family. With a range of approximately 4,700 nautical miles and a capacity of 220 passengers, it allows airlines to connect secondary cities directly and efficiently. The aircraft is seen as a game-changer, especially for low-cost carriers.

AirAsia’s order is expected to include between 50 and 70 A321XLRs, but the final number has not yet been disclosed. The move follows comments made last month by AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes that the A321XLR fits into the company’s growth strategy.

The airline currently operates more than 240 Airbus aircraft, largely A320 models, and has an order portfolio of more than 350 aircraft. The addition of the new A321XLRs to the fleet is aimed at serving new long-haul routes such as North Asia, Central Asia and Australia. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for affordable travel.