Air Asia in Talks to Secure C919 Aircraft Orders

Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, the parent company of AirAsia, has announced that the airline is in advanced negotiations with COMAC to purchase a certain number of C919 mid-sized airliners. This marks a significant step for the Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost carrier.

Fernandes has previously indicated interest in acquiring Chinese-made jets, particularly the C919, as a potential addition to AirAsia’s fleet. Over the past few years, he has expressed this interest several times as part of the airline’s expansion plans.

After navigating a challenging financial period that saw AirAsia monitored by the Malaysian Stock Exchange and undergoing restructuring, the airline is now focused on growth. In July 2025, it placed an order for up to 70 Airbus A321XLR aircraft during the Paris Air Show. Additionally, the airline is reportedly in discussions with Airbus and Embraer to acquire more aircraft in the 100 to 150-seat category, which may include A220s or E2 jets.

Fernandes discussed the potential COMAC order during the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on September 10, 2025. He later reiterated this topic at a separate event organized by the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and Macau (Maycham).

At the Maycham event, Malaysia’s Minister of Transportation, Anthony Locke, also mentioned the possibility of AirAsia acquiring Chinese jets. He encouraged COMAC to enhance its international marketing strategies to increase brand recognition beyond China, aiming to bolster public confidence in the aircraft.

In alignment with these discussions, Fernandes noted that COMAC’s existing lack of recognition outside China could provide AirAsia with an opportunity to negotiate favorable pricing on their new airliners.

While COMAC has received over 1,000 orders for the C919 primarily from Chinese airlines, its outreach efforts have mostly targeted the domestic market. However, some progress has been made in neighboring countries with its smaller C909 regional jet, previously known as ARJ21.

On the same day, September 10, 2025, COMAC secured an order for 10 C909 aircraft, along with 10 options, from Air Cambodia, the national carrier of Cambodia. Air Cambodia currently has a varied fleet, consisting of Airbus A320-family jets and ATR turboprops, and it also ordered 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in August 2025 as part of a broader trade agreement with the United States.