NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK -- AirAsia X, the long haul, low fare affiliate of Malaysian-based AirAsia Group, signed a firm contract with GE for the purchase of CF6-80E1 engines to power the new aircraft order of the three new A330-200s with the option for two additional aircraft. The aircraft, which is scheduled for delivery from 2012, will be operated on the carrier's expanding network, offering low-fare service to destinations in Europe, Asia and the Pacific.
In addition, AirAsia X has also signed a 20-year OnPoint solutions agreement with GE for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the CF6-80E1 engines. The CF6-80E1 engines supplied by GE will enhance AirAsia X's long-haul operations as it provides greater range, improved fuel burn and proven stall-free reliability. The A330-200, which is capable of flying non-stop from Kuala Lumpur to Europe, will be configured in a two-class layout with 24 Premium flatbeds and 264 Economy seats.
Both the engine selection and OnPoint solution agreement are valued at over $600 million (USD) and were signed by Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X, and Kevin McAllister, Vice President and General Manager of Global Sales, GE Aviation. The honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Datuk Seri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak witnessed the signing ceremony with Thomas Wygle, regional sales manager, Asia Pacific Sales, GE Aviation, YB Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Chairman of AirAsia X, Datuk Seri Dr. Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder of AirAsia X and Dato' Kamarudin Meranun, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X. The signing ceremony took place today at the Ritz Carlton, Central Park, New York with the attendance of AirAsia X and GE's senior management and members of the media.
The CF6-80E1 engine will provide AirAsiaX with unmatched fuel efficiency, reliability and will help AirAsiaX maintain one of the youngest and fuel efficient fleets in the sky.
YB Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Chairman of AirAsia X said "AirAsiaX's acquisition of the new technologically more advanced and fuel-efficient GE engines would help us accentuate our network expansion while holding true to our business model."
"AirAsia X's near- to long-term expansion plans have made it all the more important for us to be at the forefront of innovation. As we grow our network, fleet and operations, AirAsiaX remains steadfast to its commitment of having a young, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly fleet that would help us optimise our resources and provide better value for our guests and other stakeholders."
"GE is proud to play an integral part in AirAsiaX's ambitious long-term expansion plans," said Kevin McAllister, Vice President and General Manager of Global Sales, GE Aviation. "GE has incorporated the latest technology advances in the CF6-80E1 engine to improve fuel efficient, reduce emissions, and increase engine time-on-wing, which will greatly benefit AirAsiaX's operations."
AirAsia is the largest low cost airline group in the Asia-Pacific region and operates an all-Airbus fleet. In 2010 AirAsia X achieved best-in-class technical reliability rates for its fleet of A330s, surpassing established long-haul carriers in the region, and its continued purchase of top-of-the-line aircraft and engine technology underpins its on-going pursuit of operational quality excellence with its world's best cost performance.
About AirAsia and AirAsia X
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with over 140 routes covering destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe. Within 9 years of operations, AirAsia has carried over 100 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to 104. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia. This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low-fare long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, Australia, Taiwan¸Iran, Korea, UK, Japan, France and New Zealand. AirAsia is the regional carrier with the largest destination network and highest flight frequencies. AirAsia was named the 2010 World's Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for two consecutive years.
About GE Aviation
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.