Malaysia's AirAsia set to confirm and expand Airbus A330neo order: sources

Malaysia’s AirAsia Group is set to confirm and expand an order for A330neo long-haul passenger jets, according to sources, handing Airbus a last-minute boost at the Farnborough Airshow Thursday. The confirmation of an order for 66 planes, plus an additional order for around 30 A330neo jets is expected to be announced by AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes later on Thursday. AirAsia is not expected to place additional single-aisle Airbus jet order as it expands A330neo order, sources said. The company was discussing the possible purchase of another 100 Airbus A321neo jets as Fernandes and Airbus went down to the wire in parallel negotiations for an expanded order for larger A330neo jets, industry sources said Sunday. The airline said it would hold a media event on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur at 5:30 p.m. local time for a major announcement related to developing long-haul operations, which are operated by its AirAsia X Bhd arm. AirAsia X has a firm order for 66 of the fuel-efficient A330neo widebody jets to replace its older first-generation A330s but it has been pushing back the delivery dates. The airline also has a firm order for 10 A350s placed in 2009, but Fernandes in April said that jet was “too expensive” and would not be purchased.<br/>