The new A321neo aircraft, which will replace AirAsia’s entire fleet, is expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2035.
SEPANG: AirAsia Group Bhd will be upgrading its fleet by bringing in 362 new A321neo aircraft as one of its four pathways towards decarbonisation and meeting future growth needs.
Capital A Bhd
chief sustainability officer Yap Mun Ching said at the AirAsia Sustainability Day 2023 that the A321neo aircraft is known to be the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the market today, making it an ideal choice for AirAsia to broaden and intensify its fuel-efficiency programme.
The A321neo aircraft is said to emit 24% less carbon emissions per seat compared to the classic A320 model as well as 50% less nitrogen oxide and noise.
The new A321neo aircraft, which will replace AirAsia’s entire fleet, is expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2035.
Yap then stated that with a younger and more fuel-efficient fleet, the group will be able to reduce carbon emissions whilst growing capacity in congested airports without adding flights.
On another note, by redesigning the Asean airspace and improving air traffic control, AirAsia could reduce fuel and carbon emissions by up to 15%.
Participating states in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines can remain within the emission cap even after lowering the baseline to 85% of 2019 levels starting in 2024.
Aside from that, AirAsia is also looking to explore other options to introduce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its fuel mix before 2025. Yap said the group was currently putting in place plans and proposals to the board to review different options, which include carbon credits and SAF, as well as ways for financing.
“That is going onboard in August this year and by the end of the year, you will hear an announcement of what our SAF plans are. Most likely by 2024, we will use some amount of SAF in our airlines.”
