Malaysia-based AirAsia X expects to take delivery of Airbus A330neos and A321XLR long-range narrowbodies from 2026, as the airline cautiously restarts its network after a two-year hiatus.
Airline chief Benyamin Ismail tells FlightGlobal that the long-haul, low-cost carrier remains committed to taking delivery of the new aircraft, which will eventually replace its leased A330s.
The A330neos are expected to arrive from 2027, while the A321XLRs will join the fleet a year earlier.
Ismail says the A321XLRs will “address markets where an A330 with a high-density configuration is too much capacity”. He cites second-tier cities in China among examples of where the A321XLR, which recently performed its maiden test flight, could be deployed.
AirAsia X has 15 A330neos on order following a restructuring of its orderbook earlier this year which saw the carrier slash its previous 78-unit commitment to the re-engined widebody. In addition, it has 20 A321XLRs on order.
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