AIRASIA BOSS: NO DECISION YET ON PURCHASE DEAL
Airline still deciding on manufacturer, type and number of planes required
LOW-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd has yet to conclude its plane purchase deal, particularly in deciding which manufacturer, type as well as number of aircraft required.
“I haven’t made any decision. But we definitely need more airplanes,” AirAsia Bhd group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes responded to NST Business query during a press conference on Tuesday.
This was in response to a news report that Airbus was closing in on a US$23 billion (RM93.32 billion) deal, which was part of the European manufacturer’s potential US$29 billion (RM117.67 billion) deal with Asian carriers.
Fernandes said the airline has not bought the plane, and for the time being, could not provide financing method in acquiring those plane.
“We do need more plane. When we buy, we will send you the press release,” he said adding that the airline would elaborate further on the timeframe, cost and financing method for the plane purchase.
Airlines normally conclude purchase deals at international airshows with discounted list price.
Meanwhile, Fernandes said AirAsia was keen to connect more places in Asean, but cautioned that the hike in global oil prices would affect ticket pricing.
“There are so many places that are not connected. What drives the demand for us is connecting cities that were never connected before, mobility of workforce and students as well as holidays.
“We hope that we can provide those demands. We like oil prices to be lower, as we want more people to fly,” he added.