The pandemic will definitely affect how airlines will operate in the future and one key to operational sustainability is to have a fleet of fuel efficient and longer range aircraft. While AirAsia Philippines still operates the regular 180 Airbus A320 aircraft, they are looking forward to transition to the A321neo.
In a past report, AirAsia group CEO Tony Fernandes is keen to receive the 349 orders of A321neo jets in which an unknown number will be delivered by the end of 2022. Negotiations with Airbus are still ongoing, probably with regards to the delivery dates, however, they are not backing down on this order. These new aircraft will be distributed among all AirAsia subsidiaries which include AirAsia Philippines.
AirAsia Philippines will greatly benefit from the A321neo
According to AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla, the A321neo will have a lot of advantages for the Philippines subsidiary. First, the A321neo is a very efficient aircraft, more efficient than the current A320-216 that the airline is currently using. Utilizing CFM Leap 1A turbofan engines as the selected engine type, fuel burn is 20% lower than the previous models.
Lower costs particularly fuel costs will result of course to better profits and even more competitive fares.
Second is range. The A321neo has a range of 7,410km as compared to the present A320’s range of 6,112km. This will allow AirAsia Philippines to open more routes of greater distance such as Manila to Sydney which is safely within the range of the NEO.
Third is capacity. AirAsia Philippines will be able to add more capacity without having to add flights. The current A320 in the fleet has 180 seats whereas the A321neo ordered by AirAsia is configured with 236 all-economy seats. Again, better profits, lower costs, and more competitive air fare pricing.
When will AirAsia receive the NEO
There is no specific date or timeline yet as to when but definitely, the upgrade from the A320 to the A321neo is indeed in AirAsia Philippines’ pipeline. For now, it is all about surviving the current covid-19 pandemic. Things are still unstable for the Philippine aviation industry especially that the country is going on another lockdown.
Currently, AirAsia Malaysia operates two A321neos with 349 outstanding orders. They also have 30 A320neos with 13 more on order.
However, AirAsia remains optimistic that the vaccination drive will speed up and hopefully, we get to achieve herd immunity soon.
Whatever it is though, the switch to the A321neo is inevitable, only question is when.
