July 4 Agreement Has Options For Additional 20 Aircraft

Airbus announced the signing of a $12.25 billion firm order for 50 A321XLR aircraft by AirAsia with options for an additional 20, during a signing ceremony in Paris, France, on July 4, 2025. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim was in attendance as were Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia’s parent company Capital A, and Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.

Deliveries of the aircraft are slated to commence from 2028 through 2032. AirAsia’s goal is to transport 150 million passengers per year by 2030. The airline will operate the next-generation A321XLRs in addition to its all-Airbus fleet of A320 and A330 aircraft.

Fernandes said, “We pioneered low-cost travel in Asia – now, we are taking it to the next level. AirAsia is on a transformative journey to become the world’s first low-cost network carrier. This is about exponential growth, connecting geographies beyond Asean, and making flying even more democratic. We gave people in Asean the opportunity to explore Asia – now we want the world to see Asean, and Asean to see the world.”

Scherer explained, “We are pleased to confirm this agreement, as AirAsia Group begins its next development chapter. Having resumed its growth trajectory, which we salute and support, the airline is creating solid fleet efficiencies, allowing global network expansion.”

“The A321XLR unlocks new opportunities for AirAsia to launch non-stop flights linking primary and secondary cities all around the globe,” he added.

Prime Minister Ibrahim commented, “I have witnessed the signing of the purchase agreement for A321XLR aircraft between AirAsia and Airbus, which will strengthen the airline’s operational capabilities for short and medium-haul routes. This acquisition not only expands the flight network but also supports Malaysia’s aspiration to emerge as a leading aviation hub in the Asian region.”

FMI:  www.airasia.com/ , asean.org/