Airbus Confirms Mutual Cancellation of AirAsia X’s Order for 15 A330-900 Jets
KUALA LUMPUR: European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has confirmed that AirAsia X has cancelled its order for 15 Airbus A330-900 aircraft through a mutual agreement reached between both parties.
An Airbus spokesperson said the cancellation was agreed upon jointly, although no further details were provided regarding the reasons behind the decision.
“Airbus can confirm that the order was cancelled by mutual agreement,” the spokesperson said.
The move comes amid reports that the broader AirAsia Group is shifting its focus towards long-range narrow-body aircraft as part of its future network strategy.
AirAsia X, however, declined to comment on the matter.
Originally, all of the A330neo aircraft ordered by AirAsia X were the larger A330-900 variant, a wide-body aircraft capable of operating long-haul non-stop routes.
The aircraft was expected to support flights from Kuala Lumpur to major destinations in Europe, including London, thanks to its extended range and improved fuel efficiency.
The A330-900 is one of Airbus’ latest-generation wide-body jets, offering lower operating costs and reduced fuel consumption compared with earlier models.
Nevertheless, changing market dynamics and evolving airline strategies have prompted many carriers to reassess their fleet requirements and route structures.
Earlier this year, the AirAsia Group placed an order for 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft as part of its expansion plans.
The long-range narrow-body jet offers airlines greater flexibility by enabling them to operate longer routes with lower operating costs compared with larger wide-body aircraft.
Industry observers believe the cancellation of the A330-900 order reflects AirAsia’s efforts to optimise its fleet and align its business model with changing travel demand and cost-efficiency priorities.
Despite the cancellation, the development is not expected to derail AirAsia’s broader expansion ambitions, as the airline group continues to invest in next-generation aircraft to strengthen its regional and international network in the years ahead.
