Airbus confirmed on June 17 that it and AirAsia X have mutually agreed to cancel the airline's order for 15 Airbus A330-900 aircraft [1, 2]. An Airbus spokesperson said, "Airbus can confirm that the order was cancelled by mutual agreement" [1].
The cancelled order involved the larger A330neo model, designed for long-range routes such as nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur to London [1, 2]. The A330-900 offers extended range capabilities suited for transcontinental travel.
The cancellation reflects a strategic shift by AirAsia Group toward long-range narrowbody aircraft rather than widebodies [1, 2]. Earlier in 2026, AirAsia Group placed an order for 50 Airbus A321XLR planes, which have extra-long range capabilities to expand the airline’s network with more fuel-efficient single-aisle jets [1, 2].
AirAsia X declined to comment on the cancellation when approached [1, 2].
The cancellation marks a notable change in fleet planning for AirAsia X, which had previously targeted widebody aircraft for its long-haul operations. The airline appears to be focusing on the flexibility and lower operating costs of the A321XLR for international and regional expansion.
Airbus and AirAsia X concluded the cancellation agreement in mid-June 2026, finalizing the removal of the 15 A330-900 jets from AirAsia X’s order book [1, 2].
