23 Feb 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, -- AirAsia has mandated Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays PLC, to finance 15 of its new Airbus A320-200 aircraft.
The financing will bring AirAsia's total fleet to 85 aircraft by early 2010, operated by Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad and its affiliates, Indonesia AirAsia and Thai AirAsia, said AirAsia in a statement.
So far, three aircraft have been delivered under this facility since Dec 31, 2008, with the support of the Export Credit Agencies of the United Kingdom, France and Germany, it said.
A signing ceremony was held today in London to formalise the facility, attended by senior officials of AirAsia Bhd, Barclays Capital, Airbus and BayernLB.
Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, said: "AirAsia is very pleased to have secured this financing from Barclays Capital which represents part of the financing that we have secured for our Airbus A320 aircraft purchases for the next couple of years.
AirAsia services the most extensive network in South East Asia, with over 114 routes covering more than 64 destinations.
AirAsia has carried over 55 million passengers and grown its fleet from just two aircraft in 2001.
AirAsia is proud to be a truly Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean member countries, China, India and Bangladesh.
AirAsia's low-cost long-haul carrier affiliate, AirAsia X, will soon commence service between Kuala Lumpur and London (Stansted), in addition to its existing routes to Australia (Melbourne, Perth and Gold Coast) and China (Hangzhou and Tianjin).
"This partnership between AirAsia and Barclays Capital is a testament of the confidence and trust that the global financial community has towards AirAsia's prospects and potentials. We are very positive that we will carry through the global economic storm and emerge bigger and stronger," added Fernandes.
AirAsia became the largest airline customer in the world of the Airbus A320-200 after placing a firm order for 175 aircraft in December 2007, with the option for 50 more. Deliveries are expected to run until 2014.
"This transaction is the culmination of a close long-standing relationship between AirAsia Berhad and Barclays Capital.
"Our focus is on meeting our clients' needs, especially in the most challenging conditions. We are proud to support AirAsia and Airbus in the financing of these aircraft and assist the airline in achieving its ambitious growth plans," said Arnaud Fiscel, Head of Aviation at Barclays Capital in London.
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