Long-haul low cost carrier Fly Asian Xpress (Fax), has placed a firm order for ten Airbus A330-300 aircraft, with options for a further five machines.
A hint as to why Fax plumped for the wide-bodied Airbus, can be gleaned from the importance the AirAsia franchise attaches to cargo space. ”The large, underfloor cargo capability allows airlines to carry more revenue-generating loads consolidated on pallets and containers arranged side by side, something that is not possible in competing aircraft,” a statement from the carrier said.
Slated for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2008, the A330-300s will be used on as-yet unspecified routes from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to three destinations to be announced towards the end of this year.
Fax has revealed ambitious plans to make Malaysia ”the world”s biggest low cost hub” as director Dato” Tony Fernandes outlined: ”We are confident the route network of AirAsia domestic, regional and long-haul operations will complement each other to drive passenger traffic from both long-haul and regional destinations into and from Malaysia,” he said.
Fax aims to cover destinations that are more than four hours flying time from Kuala Lumpur, offering point-to-point frequencies in China, India, Europe and Australia.