Temporary grounding of AirAsia Group's fleet

In view of the continued coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that has led to extensive and increasing border restrictions imposed by various countries, the AirAsia Group is temporarily hibernating most of its fleet across the network.

State of emergency in place in Thailand will make travelling very difficult

In accordance with the decree of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, a state of emergency is imposed on the territory of the state from 00:00 on March 26. 

Thus, the government of Thailand declares that entry to Thailand by air, sea, road or other means of transport is prohibited, except for the people listed below:

 1. Employees of embassies, employees of international organizations, representatives of the government, who have duties in Thailand, including their family members, issuing a letter guaranteeing entry to the Kingdom of Thailand at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. Foreign citizens, who have work permits in the Kingdom of Thailand.

3. Thai citizens are subject to receiving a letter of guarantee and a certificate of health when returning to Thailand.

This decree does not apply to foreign citizens travelling in transit until March 31, 2020. Persons aged 4 to 6 years must have a certificate of sufficient health to fly issued no later than 72 hours before departure.

So far over 350 police checkpoints have been established around the country and restrictions will be enforced.  “People can still travel, but there will be measures imposed on travellers which will make travel more difficult and eventually discouraging them from doing so,”  Wissanu Krea-ngam Thailands Deputy Prime Minister said. “Police and soldiers will set up checkpoints at provincial borders to see whether the measures are followed.”

Air Asia shows off new Airbus A330-900neo

Fresh from the paint shop.  Photo Air Asia

The budget carrier Air Asia has been keen to show off its latest Airbus aircraft at the European manufacturers Toulouse base last week.

AirAsia has released this image of the Airbus A330-900neo aircraft leaving the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse, France.  The new aircraft is expected to enter service in late June 2019, when it will become the first-ever Airbus A330neo to join the AirAsia fleet.

Watch a time-lapse video of the aircraft getting painted below.

Air Asia and Airbus on cusp of order confirmation

Expect confirmation of AirAsia X order for at least 66 Airbus aircraft shortly as the Air Asia boss Tony Fernandes and his team do the final checks with Airbus on the price, performance and engines of A330neo before they can "finally confirm" the order.

AirAsia X, is the long-haul division of Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia Group and is the main customer for the A330neo aircraft.  The airline's CEO, used his Twitter stream on Tuesday to announced his visit to the Airbus campus in Toulouse to finalise negotiations on the A330neo order. “Off to Airbus today in Toulouse. Lots to discuss. The A330 neo (is equipped) with Rolls Royce engines. They (weigh) 251 tonnes (and) can reach London,” he said.

"We have ordered the 330 but to finally confirm it we must make sure price is right. Performance is right. Engine is right," he said. "And performance of the 330 251 ton is right. If right (it is) the plane we dreamt of and fought for and then we can order more. Or else."

Fernandes also previously had talks with American manufacturer Boeing as theu tried to poach his business away from the European company with super sweet deals on its 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft,  as well as supplying 787 Max aircraft to replace Air Asia's A321neo order of 100 aircraft. 

AirAsiaX profits jump

AirAsia X  the long-haul budget carrier of Malaysia reported a massive jump in profits thanks to a programme to reduce costs and higher passenger numbers.

The airline said the net profit for the January-March rose to 41.5 million ringgit ($10.47 million) from 10.3 million a year earlier while revenue rose 7.2 percent to a record 1.3 billion.