AirAsia Takes Delivery of its First Airbus A320

Air Asia Airbus A320 (photo courtesy of Airbus) (click to enlarge)

Japan’s newest low-cost carrier AirAsia Japan has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft in Toulouse, France. The Narita-based carrier will start commercial services on August 1st from Narita International Airport to Sapporo and Fukuoka, and from August 3rd to Okinawa with an initial fleet of two aircraft.

AirAsia Japan will start international operations to Seoul (Incheon) and Pusan in Korea in October, with a fleet growing to four aircraft by the end of 2012.

AirAsia Japan’s A320s are configured in a high comfort, all economy layout with 180 seats. Each aircraft is powered by CFM56 engines.

“We are extremely happy to take delivery of our brand new Airbus A320. Our aim is to provide opportunities for everyone to fly with low fares. With the A320’s cabin comfort and operational reliability, we want to offer better access, in particular for the Japanese travelling public, and make them feel easy to fly,” said AirAsia Japan President Kazuyuki Iwakata.

“We are delighted to welcome AirAsia Japan as our newest Airbus operator. With its wide cabin, the A320 offers the quickest turn-around time of any single aisle aircraft in its category, making it a fantastic asset for low-cost carriers” said Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers John Leahy. “With our popular A320 Family, the Japanese low-cost market has the potential to grow as much as the low-cost carriers’ have grown in Europe or North America.”

AirAsia Japan, established in August 2011, is a joint venture between Japan’s largest airline ANA Group (67%) and one of the world’s leading low cost airline AirAsia (33%). Operating under the AirAsia brand, it will serve both domestic and international destinations.

Airbus