AirAsia X Expands Fleet with Leasing of Additional A330 Aircraft

AirAsia X is gearing up for the Northern Winter high season by planning to lease an additional A330-300, according to Chief Executive Benyamin Ismail’s statement in the carrier’s quarterly report. The move aims to reactivate their fleet, increasing the total number of aircraft in the fleet from 17 to 18. The airline is diligently collaborating with its business partners to ensure the timely return of these aircraft to service, aligning with their network relaunch timeline. By the final quarter of this year, AirAsia X aims to have at least 16 operational aircraft, positioning themselves to seize opportunities in the year-end peak travel season.

As per ch-aviation’s fleet data, AirAsia X presently operates thirteen A330-300s, with an additional four in storage. The carrier faced challenges due to the impact of the COVID pandemic, leading to a downsizing of its long-haul low-cost fleet from a peak of twenty-five A330-300s in 2021. However, in December 2022, they began a growth trajectory by reintroducing three previously retired A330-300s, along with leased units from various lessors, marking a positive turn in their operations.

Furthermore, AirAsia X has pending orders for twenty A321-200NY(XLR)s and fifteen A330-900s from Airbus, reflecting their commitment to expanding and enhancing their fleet. In financial terms, the carrier reported a net profit of MYR5.5 million ringgit (USD1.2 million) for the April-June 2023 quarter, signifying a significant improvement compared to the MYR652.5 million (USD140.5 million) net loss recorded in the same period a year ago.