AirAsia: Deal with CFM will help expand fleet, network

AirAsia Philippines painted a rosy outlook for 2024, as its parent company Capital A and engine provider CFM International renewed their agreement, a deal that will allow the airline to double its fleet by 2024.

According to AirAsia Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs Steve Dailisan, the renewal of the agreement between Capital A and CFM provides a “catalyst for AirAsia to reinstate its full fleet across the Group.”

In the Philippines, this means that AirAsia will be able to double its fleet and allow it to expand its network to 45 domestic and international routes.

Currently, AirAsia Philippines has a fleet of 20 Airbus jets that serve 11 domestic destinations and 12 international destinations out of Manila, and two domestic and three international destinations from Cebu.

“The solid backing from CFM International will help us fast-track our recovery plan and expansion next year. We expect that this will also allow us to better operate our existing aircraft and the additional A321neo and A330 to service our existing and new markets here in the country and in Asean,” Dailisan said.

With the support of CFM, Capital A is tuning to reinstate its fleet of 204 aircraft and further expand it to 300 jets in the next 5 years.

Dailisan noted that the fleet expansion should be backed by the allocation of more slots, saying that this will help the government in its bid to revive the tourism sector after the pandemic.

“Furthermore, if AirAsia Philippines is provided with more slots as an opportunity to boost tourism, we are ready to facilitate stronger economic ties anchored on tourism and trade in the Philippines and beyond.”