TEMPO.CO, Sepang - Southeast Asia`s largest low-cost carrier (LCC) AirAsia is interested in purchasing a Chinese aircraft, the C919.
"The C919 is an interesting plane," AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes told reporters on Thursday, May 26.
The first large-bodied passenger jet in China recently took a flight test.
As of December of last year, AirAsia has 174 fleets with an average age of 6.5 years.
Fernandes said AirAsia has a close relationship with the Chinese government and has established cooperation with several Chinese companies, including Huawei, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and Tencent.
As the CEO of a foreign airline with a chance to enter China's market, Fernandes hopes for China's industry to continue growing next year, as it would have a positive effect on AirAsia.
"We've got proposals for financing, and hopefully next year we can make this plan happen," he told China Daily News.
Earlier this month, AirAsia signed a memorandum of understanding with China Everbright Group and Henan Government Working Group to establish AirAsia China with an estimated investment value of US$100 million.
For the past 16 years, AirAsia has been building its budget carrier empire in the Asia-Pacific region, with branches in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, India, and Japan.
"By establishing of a joint venture in China, we hope to further strengthen our business," he said.
AirAsia has been flying to China since 2005 with 17 routes, the largest foreign carrier operating in China.
SETIAWAN ADIWIJAYA