Asian carriers start spending at Farnborough

Asia’s fast-growing airlines have been among the big spenders at this week’s Farnborough Air Show.

AirAsia X, the Malaysian long-haul low-cost carrier, yesterday became the first airline customer of the brand new Airbus A330neo aircraft, which was officially launched at Farnborough on Monday.

Loyal Airbus customer Tony Fernandes signed a deal for up to 100 fuel-efficient A330neos, including 50 firm orders and 50 options, in a deal worth US$13.8 billion at list prices. This deal extends AirAsia’s total Airbus orders to more than 500 aircraft, including A320s, A330s, A330neos and A350s.

“We have been encouraging Airbus to launch this new version of the A330 for some time now,” said Fernandes, co-founder of AirAsia X. ”I am pleased that they are offering this choice and bringing us the aircraft we truly need to develop further our low-cost long-haul model.”

China’s airlines also got in on the action earlier this week, with both Okay Airways and start-up Zheijang Loong Airlines placing significant orders on Monday.

Okay Airways, which is based in Beijing, has purchased six Boeing 737 MAX 8s and four standard Boeing 737-800s, valued at US$980 million at current list prices. The deal will also see Okay Airways convert five B737-800s from a previous order into larger B737-900ER model, making it the first Chinese airline to order the B737-900ER.

Meanwhile, Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Loong Airlines has signed a Letter on Intent to acquire 20 CS100 aircraft from Bombardier, worth US$1.3bn.

Other Asian airlines making headlines at Farnborough include Kazakhstan’s Bek Air and Japan’s Fuji Dream Airlines. Astana-based Bek has signed an agreement to purchase seven Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft, while Fuji Dream has penned a contract for six Embraer E175 regional jets, with options for an additional three aircraft.

CLICK HERE for a round-up of all the main orders on day two at the Farnborough Air Show.

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