AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes confirmed during the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong that the Malaysian budget airline is in active discussions to purchase China's C919 passenger jets, potentially becoming the first foreign carrier to work with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).
The low-cost airline has shown strong interest in acquiring the Chinese aircraft as part of its strategy to tap into Southeast Asia's 700 million-strong population and capitalize on growing China-ASEAN business ties.
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke encouraged COMAC to intensify its international marketing efforts, stating that foreign operation of the C919 would help build trust in the aircraft.
Loke emphasized that having a foreign airline operate the planes would significantly boost confidence, noting that "even if you get 10 planes flown by a foreign airline, you'll make a lot of difference because that is a recognition of the safety and reliability of the aircraft."
If finalized, this landmark deal would position AirAsia as the first non-Chinese airline to operate the C919, marking a crucial breakthrough for China's homegrown commercial aviation industry in penetrating international markets.
