19-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Airbus in early talks with Malaysian airlines on A220 deals
Airbus president and head of region Anand Stanley said demand in Asia-Pacific for single-aisle aircraft is projected at 20,000 new units by 2045. (Airbus pic)
PUTRAJAYA : Airbus is in informal, early discussions with Malaysian carriers on the potential sale of its A220 aircraft.
Airbus Asia-Pacific president Anand Stanley said he hopes the A220 presents a compelling case for Malaysian airlines to expedite the process or give it due consideration.
'We see significant potential for the A220 aircraft in Malaysia, as it would serve as the ideal feeder aircraft for regional services, connecting to higher-density or longer-range routes while offering low emissions and best-in-class economics,' he said at a media roundtable discussion today.
Anand said the A220 has consistently outperformed its rivals in the small-aisle jet segment.
'If you look at this aircraft, in terms of its competition, three out of four times customers have chosen the A220 over all its competitors,' he said, referring to competitors such as Embraer's E2 series and smaller Boeing 737 variants.
He said the aircraft's clean-sheet design reduced noise pollution and lower carbon emissions have made it one of the most environmentally friendly jets in its class.
The Airbus A220-300 aircraft. (EPA Images pic)
Anand said demand for single-aisle aircraft in Asia-Pacific is projected to soar, with an estimated 20,000 new aircraft needed across the region by the end of the next decade.
Much of this growth will be driven by regional routes, especially between tier-two cities that are currently underserved.
'A lot of the traffic isn't just intercontinental, it's regional. There's a tremendous opportunity to unlock connectivity between smaller cities, and not just domestically, but through international routes as well,' he said, noting that the A220 is designed to meet this need.
The A220 will soon be delivered to Air Niugini, enabling the airline to fly non-stop from Port Moresby to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as part of its fleet renewal plan.
Qantas and Korean Air, current operators of the A220, have reported strong customer feedback, Anand said.
Enhancing Malaysia's maritime and defence capabilities
Anand said Airbus has proposed the use of the C295 tactical airlifter to complement the Royal Malaysian Air Force's current fleet of four A400Ms.
'The C295 is cost-effective as you can acquire multiple C295s for the price of a single larger aircraft like the A400M, providing an economical solution for expanding fleets without sacrificing capability,' he said.
The C295 can carry up to eight tonnes of payload, compared to the A400M's 40-tonne capacity, making it suitable for a range of missions including troop transport, surveillance, and humanitarian aid.
He said the aircraft is already in service in Brunei and plays maritime security roles in the Philippines and Indonesia for maritime security missions.
