Asia-Pacific airlines have placed orders to modernize and expand their widebody fleets in recent months. The airlines are capitalizing on the increase in international travel, reaching their pre-pandemic levels, and replacing their older aircraft.
Malaysia Airlines placed an order for 20 Airbus A330-900neo, the first units will join the fleet later this year. For this aircraft, the airline presented its new Business Class and Economy products, this model will be used for its markets in Australia, Northeast Asia, India and the Middle East. Malaysia has already scheduled the first route, which will be Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne.
Thai Airways ordered 45 Boeing 787s with purchase options for 35 Dreamliners or Boeing 777X at the Singapore Airshow. Following the pandemic crisis, the airline restructured its fleet by withdrawing Airbus A380s, Boeing 747s, and part of the Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s fleet, which led to the suspension and cancellation of several routes.
With this new order, Thai Airways will restore part of its international routes to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, suspended due to the pandemic, expand to new destinations, and add capacity to existing routes.
Japan Airlines placed an order for 42 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to expand and renew its fleet, the airline has ordered 21 Airbus A350-900s to expand its international network in North American, Indian, and Asian markets, the order also consists of 10 Boeing 787-9s and 11 Airbus A321neo aircraft to replace Boeing 767-300ERs on international and domestic routes.
Korean Air will sign a contract to acquire 27 Airbus A350-1000s and six Airbus A350-900s as it prepares to merge with Asiana Airlines, the latter of which has a pending order for 15 A350s. The airline recently set a date for the retirement of its fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 747s, replacing the four-engine aircraft with new twin-engines,
Cathay Pacific is looking for a widebody aircraft for its short and medium-haul high-density flights to replace the Airbus A330 and possibly the Boeing 777-300 Domestic, the options could be the Airbus A330neo or Boeing 787, the latter being used by several Asian airlines for the short and medium-haul segment or to acquire more Airbus A350-900s with a regional version.
