According to the chief executive of parent company Capital A Bhd, Malaysia’s low-cost airline AirAsia aims to start taking delivery of the 362 Airbus SE A321neos that are still on order in 2024 after delaying them due to the pandemic.

The airline, one of Airbus’ largest clients, had only ordered four A321neo aircraft before COVID-19 obliterated the aviation industry. Despite not having specified a commencement date at the time, it and Airbus last year decided to restructure the deal with deliveries continuing through 2035.

By taking receipt of the new Airbus A321neos in 2024, we will be able to further reduce our emissions per seat by 20% while still accelerating our company’s expansion. Tony Fernandes, the chief executive of Capital A, said in a statement late on Friday after the company reported a smaller operational deficit for the second quarter.

A return to full operations is anticipated by the second quarter of 2023, according to AirAsia Aviation Group Chief Executive Bo Lingam, who noted that as of August, 108 operating aircraft had returned to the skies. This number is anticipated to rise to 160 by the end of the year to support strong and growing consumer demand.

For the three months ending June 30, Capital A reported an operational loss of 491.3 million ringgit ($110.03 million), down from a loss of 792.2 million ringgit in the same period last year.

The business announced last month that its aircraft load factor, a gauge of the proportion of seats full, increased to 84% in the second quarter, levels similar to those prior to the pandemic. In an effort to overcome Malaysia’s stock exchange’s designation of Capital A as a financially troubled corporation, Capital A stated in June that it was considering various fundraising strategies for a planned U.S. listing.

Source: