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LOW-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd has leased four Airbus A320-200 aircraft previously operated by MYAirline Sdn Bhd. AirAsia had previously leased three of the aircraft before the COVID-19 pandemic from AirCastle Ltd. They were returned to the lessor before MYAirline leased the craft.
According to AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd group chief executive officer Bo Lingam said when MYAirline stopped operating, the lessor asked if we wanted these planes. We needed the capacity for next year, that all leasing processes were complete.
“MYAirline suspended its operations on October 12 after running for less than a year due to financial pressures. It is pending restructuring and recapitalisation. Of the four aircraft, Bo Lingam said two of the A320s would fly on December 15 and 16, while the third would fly in January. He did not specify the schedule for the fourth plane,” Lingam remarked.
On next year’s outlook, he said he was confident of fully reactivating AirAsia’s 204-strong fleet as more countries offer visa-free entry. We have a very good view of next year and we should surpass 2019’s (passenger level) soon.
He explained that AirAsia would have nine new 240-seat A321s next year. There are no more A320 and all new aircraft will be A321 from then on. I did not expect trouble for aviation unless there was a sudden spike in fuel prices. I hope the ringgit would strengthen next year, based on economists’ recent positive forecasts.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said recently net profit for the airline industry was expected to reach US$25.7 billion (RM120 billion) in 2024, with a 2.7% net profit margin – a slight improvement over 2023, which was expected to show a US$23.3 billion net profit with a 2.6% net profit margin.
IATA said about 4.7 billion people were expected to travel in 2024, a historic high exceeding the 2019 pre-pandemic level of 4.5 billion. [sources/photo special]
