AirAsia X also has additional flexibility not depicted here as most of its current fleet is leased, enabling it to return some of its older A330ceos as the operating leases expire. Also not depicted here is AirAsia X’s much earlier order for 10 A350-900s, which are now slated for delivery from 2018. AirAsia X has the ability to cancel this order without penalty. Essentially the order while still on Airbus’ books has turned into options.
AirAsia X plans to use this flexibility to assess in a few years how the A350 is performing and if it sees an opportunity in Western Europe. AirAsia X served London and Paris until early 2012 with inefficient A340s, which are now wet leased out and will finally be returned as their leases expire in 2015. The A350 could provide an opportunity to reconsider flights of over 10 hours, which for now are not part of the AirAsia X model.