Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, the parent company of Air Asia, has confirmed that the Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost carrier is in advanced talks with COMAC to acquire an unspecified number of C919 mid-sized airliners.
This is not the first time that the Malaysian entrepreneur has hinted at the possibility of acquiring Chinese-made jets for Air Asia. On several occasions over the last couple of years, Fernandes stated publicly that the carrier was looking at the C919 as an option for future aircraft orders.
Following a financially troubled period, in which Air Asia was placed under monitoring by the Malaysian Stock Exchange, followed by subsequent restructuring, Air Asia has again set its sights on growth. In July 2025, it placed an order for up to 70 Airbus A321XLR aircraft during the Paris Air Show. The airline group is also reportedly in talks with Airbus and Embraer with a view to taking on more aircraft in the 100 to 150-seat segment – presumably either A220s or E2 jets – for the Air Asia portfolio of airlines.
Fernandes spoke about the prospective COMAC order during the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on September 10, 2025. According to several local media outlets, later in the same day, he referred to the matter again at another event, organized by the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and Macau (Maycham).
Attending the latter event, Malaysia’s Minister of Transportation, Anthony Locke, also referred to the possibility of Kuala Lumpur-based Air Asia acquiring Chinese jets. The minister encouraged COMAC to boost its international marketing efforts in order to raise brand awareness and recognition outside of China, as a way of building confidence of the public in the aircraft.