keesje
Jun 16 2009, 02:34 PM
QUOTE
KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- AirAsia, the world's leading budget airline, tuesday announced a firm order for 10 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft by its low-cost long-haul affiliate AirAsia X.
The purchase is set to seal the group' vision to be the world's first long-haul and short-haul low-cost airline, AirAsia said in a statement from Paris.
AirAsia X has selected the A350-900 variant for its fleet, which will be configured to seat 425 guests in a two-class layout.
The announcement was made by AirAsia and Airbus at the Paris Air Show.
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=418479I wonder how they financed.
Mark S
Jun 16 2009, 03:25 PM
Are you kidding, "you wonder how they financed"? The people's republic of the EU, that's how they financed. I'm sure that's how United Airlines will finance as well. Although, I must say, given the new U.S. administration's industrial practices to date, it could be the people's republic of Obama land that's next to do non economic financing. Now that the United States has seen the light and is socializing industry like greater Europe, the U.S. government is likely to start financing airplanes for bankrupt companies very soon.
kimshep
Jun 20 2009, 11:56 AM
Keesje's question is entirely valid and not to be made light of, IMO.
Tony Fernades AirAsia has been 'short' on serious funds for a while, despite the airline being wildly successful. Evidenced by Branson's 10% investment in AirAsiaX offshoot last year .. and by the planned capital raising / share listing for AirAsia, which has recently been abandoned due to lack of interest and bad timing. But it is in no way a potential bankrupt company - more the victim of growth and misjudged finance timing.
Perhaps, the manufacturers are a little short with orders on the ground .. and customer pricing was just way too low / attractive to even consider passing it up ?
A "ballsy" move by Fernades, in uncertain times. But then, both Airbus and Boeing are racing to get into the vendor financing business. And AirAsia has occasionally financed via the US EXIM Bank, so the crack about the "people's republic of EU" might be a bit misguided.
An interesting question, in any point.