Tag: asia

  • Le Pain Quotidien Hong Kong on par with New York City

    Le Pain Quotidien Hong Kong on par with New York City

    Belgian-founded bakery Le Pain Quotidien’s Hong Kong outlet is trading as well as the chain’s best stores, surprising the founder.

    “We knew we would make it [in Hong Kong] but we did not expect sales to be so high, comparable to our best stores in New York,” the bakery’s founder Alain Coumont divulged in an interview with the ‘Hungry Lawyer’ Marc Rubinstein.

    Le Pain Quotidien Hong Kong  was brought to the city by Dining Concepts, and recently opened its second store at Pacific Place. The city is the 18th market for the brand which now numbers 235 stores globally.

    “There are plans for a third store in Central but I can’t say where because it’s still a secret,” Coumont said. “The idea is to have at least four or five shops in Hong Kong by the end of 2017. We are also thinking of expanding to other parts of the Asia Pacific region with Dining Concepts like Singapore or Malaysia, as well as China. We are expanding naturally as we make money, not because we must.”

    He said the core of the menu was the same in Hong Kong as elsewhere in the world.

    “We have some local dishes on the menu. Originally, we had congee on the breakfast menu. We update the menu seasonally so now we have a tofu scramble instead, but the basic structure of the menu is the same as in other markets.”

    Le Pain Quotidien, which means “daily bread”, was founded in 1990 when Coumont, working as a chef, was dissatisfied  with the bread served before meals.

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    “So I decided to start making it myself as a hobby. I didn’t have space for the equipment so I rented 36 sqm next to the stock exchange in Belgium, bought a big table at a flea market, started baking two kinds of bread, and added coffee and sandwiches to help pay the rent. With the big communal table leaving nowhere for customers to hide and our two kilo sourdough loafs, the shop looked like the dining room of a monastery. Then the magic happened.”

    He had no idea his ‘hobby’ would evolve into a global brand.

    “There was no business plan. It was a hobby. I started with US$10,000 that I didn’t have, but it was an overnight success.”

    Coumont said rent was key in Hong Kong, as in New York and London – “and you need a great location”.

    “High rent creates opportunity for expensive mistakes if you pick the wrong location. But, like London and New York, Hong Kong is also a diverse city which means our staff and our customers are diverse and include cosmopolitan travellers and business people. We could just as easily be in Dubai or New York except that Hong Kong is less hot than Dubai and warmer than New York.”

    In the interview, Coumont also talks about his experiences launching the brand in New York, his passion for Chinese food and his thoughts on Hong Kong as a city.

  • Jaeger-LeCoultre Japan opens flagship

    Jaeger-LeCoultre Japan opens flagship

    Luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre Japan has staged a grand opening for its first flagship boutique, in Tokyo.

    Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO Daniel Riedo and brand manager for Japan Stefano Bossi welcomed 150 guests for the official launch of the store, on Ginza Namiki Street. Actress/model Maki Tamaru was a special guest, wearing a Reverso by Christian Louboutin from the Atelier Reverso.

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    Exclusive watches were on display including a 101 Joaillerie with the smallest calibre in the world, invented by Jaeger-LeCoultre. Also featured are Atmos clocks.

    Covering 100 sqm, the store spotlights Jaeger-LeCoultre artistry and craftsmanship, two themes that have been at the heart of the brand since 1833. Grand complications and high jewellery pieces are showcased, epitomising the crafts mastered by the manufacturer – gem setting, enamelling, engraving and horological complications.

    A special area is reserved for a watchmaker who handles maintenance and repairs.

  • H&M Taiwan opens Ximen flagship

    H&M Taiwan opens Ximen flagship

    H&M Taiwan held a high-profile fashion party to launch its new Ximen flagship store, gathering Taiwanese fashion’s finest.

    Yoga Lin, Nick Chou, Gemma Wu, Nikki Hsieh, Puff Kuo, Jasper Liu, Jian Man Shu and Lien Yu Han were amongst the stars joining this week’s celebration. At the party, Yoga Lin mesmerised the fashion crowd with a surprise performance.

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    In celebration of unveiling H&M’s Ximen flagship store, singer Yoga Lin walked the red carpet sharply dressed in an exclusive capsule collection by H&M Design Award-winner Hannah Jinkins. Inside H&M’s largest flagship store in Asia, Yoga Lin performed three of his biggest hits, rolling out a night of entertainment, fashion and perfection. The performance was followed by Nick Chou (NickTheReal) appearing as the guest DJ of the night.

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    The H&M Ximen flagship store formally opened today, November 25.

    “Ximending is a fashion conscious area of Taipei City, and I am excited to be a celebrating the opening of H&M’s flagship store. Tonight is an unforgettable night; I hope H&M will inspire this area with its up-to-date fashion,” said Yoga Lin.

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    “I am a big fan of H&M. The performances were impeccable, and the store looks fantastic. This is surely the fashion event of the year,” said Puff Kuo.

  • South Korean department stores set to smash sales record

    South Korean department stores set to smash sales record

    South Korean department stores are tipped to chalk up sales of more than 30 trillion won (US$25.6 billion) for the first time this year.

    That would make if 86 years since the country’s first department store opened in 1930.

    Industry commentators say the figure reflects the retail category’s emergence from “years of stagnation” to return to growth as they pursue new alliances, an expanded food offer and eCommerce.

    Lotte, Hyundai and Shinsegae account for 80 per cent of the Korean department stores market with Galleria, AK Plaza and smaller brands hold the remainder.

    Just seven years ago, department store sales surpassed the 20 trillion won barrier – this year’s projection is 31 trillion, a remarkable growth rate by any measure, especially considering sales stagnated at 29 trillion won for the last four years.

    “Despite the prolonged economic slowdown and changing consumption trend, the domestic department store market is expected to post growth this year thanks to new concept stores and the expansion of online channels,” a Shinsegae Department Store official said.

  • Rakuten drone delivery system launched

    Rakuten drone delivery system launched

    Japanese eCommerce giant Rakuten and its two partners – Docomo and Autonomous Control Laboratory – have trialled a drone-based delivery system.

    The Rakuten drone delivery system uses Docomo’s LTE mobile network when a customer places an order via a smartphone.

    The last experiment in the National Strategic Special Zone of Chiba city saw the cargo carried from the Inage Seaside Park to the adjacent seaside area.

    The new version is upgraded with an ordering app for users and the drone dashboard for drone controlling.

    Rakuten says the new “Tenku” delivery drone features a number of performance enhancements such as water-resistant. Tenku’s base is an airframe called “PF1”, developed by Autonomous Control Laboratory. The airframe helps the drone go long-distance and over the sea as well as over populated areas. A parachute is also equipped to slow the speed in case of emergency fall.

    With its technologies, the operator also maps out flight routes with stable communication, and also monitors the connectivity of airborne cell phones with the mobile network at the ground level.

    The new Rakuten drone-based delivery system is set to be used in urban areas after talks with the Chiba City Drone Delivery Subcommittee.

  • Chimes Boutiques opens ‘world class’ flagship

    Chimes Boutiques opens ‘world class’ flagship

    Chimes Boutiques has opened a new flagship store in its home town Davao city.

    “I never imagined 12 years ago that we would be able to deliver a truly world-class experience to our humble shores,” observed Chimes Boutiques CEO and SVP of Felcris Group, Cindy Yap at the store’s unveiling.

    Chimes was originally founded by the second generation siblings of the Yap family – founders of hypermarkets and convenience stores in Mindanao – who saw an opening for a channel selling luxury retail brands in Davao. With such a store, she figured,  Mindanao’s well heeled would no longer have to travel to Manila, or overseas, for fine fashion.

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    “Change is a constant element in everyone’s life and [after 12 years] that moment came for us, as well. We decided to develop a selling strategy that would meet the wishes of our client – passionate travelers always on the lookout for something new,” she said.

    The 37,000 sqft Governor Sales Street store was completely refurbished – all the way to the new logo – in a project led by retail designers Cyndi and Happy Fernandez of Moss Manila.

    Chimes stocks more than 100 brands spanning beauty, accessories, ladies ready-to-wear, menswear, home and children. Among the labels: local brands Aranaz, Happy Skin, Rajo Laurel, Vania Romoff, Renegade Folk and Sunnies Studios.

  • FedEx Trade Networks expands Into Malaysia with Penang office

    FedEx Trade Networks expands Into Malaysia with Penang office

    FedEx Trade Networks, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and a premier international freight forwarder, today announced the opening of a new office in Malaysia. Based in Penang, the additional facility highlights the continued expansion of FedEx Trade Networks to meet the growing market demand.

    “With our network stretching into Malaysia, we are well positioned to proactively respond to customer needs and support them in simplifying the complexities of international shipping,” said Udo Lange, executive vice president and COO, FedEx Trade Networks.

    The new FedEx Trade Networks office is strategically located in Penang’s central business district, with close proximity to the airport and the seaport as well as the city’s key infrastructure facilities. FedEx Trade Networks offers a comprehensive portfolio of services, covering e-commerce, international air and ocean freight forwarding, surface transportation (domestic and cross-border), customs brokerage, trade and customs advisory services as well as other value-added services, including My Global Trade Data, the company’s online suite of information management tools.

    “The world requires a new type of freight forwarder that understands how to turn global logistics into strategic advantages,” said Lange. “FedEx Trade Networks makes the complexities of global shipping simple, striving to provide customers with unparalleled supply chain visibility and logistics transparency to help move their businesses forward.”

    Penang is one of the most urbanised and industrialised states in Malaysia with a high concentration of key industries and sectors, including high tech, electronics and electrical products, industrial goods as

  • Cebu Pacific plans Legazpi night flights

    Cebu Pacific plans Legazpi night flights

    Cebu Pacific said the upgrade of the Legazpi International Airport as a night-capable facility has allowed the budget carrier to operate flights even in the evening.

    In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it is the first carrier to operate night flights out of the Legazpi International Airport after being upgraded by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) with necessary facilities and declared ready to accommodate evening flights.

    The upgrade allows airlines to offer more flights for passengers to choose from.

    At present, Cebu Pacific operates six daily flights to and from Legazpi via Manila and Cebu.

    Evening flights operated by Cebu Pacific’s wholly-owned subsidiary Cebgo, depart Manila at 6:15 p.m. and 7:20 p.m, and arrive in Legazpi at 7:40 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., respectively.

    The return flights meanwhile, leave Legazpi at 8:20 p.m. and 9:35 p.m., and land in Manila at 9:40 p.m. and 10:55 p.m., respectively.

    The upgrade is likewise seen to give a further boost to tourism in Legazpi which serves as a regional hub for business, education and government.

    Legazpi International Airport is the main airport of the Bicol region, serving provinces such as Albay and Sorsogon.

    As early as 2012, Cebu Pacific has been calling for the upgrade of airports to have night capability to allow airlines to offer flights in the evening and in effect, help ease congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) runway during the peak

  • 7-Eleven Malaysia committed to store expansion

    7-Eleven Malaysia committed to store expansion

    7-Eleven Malaysia is committed to further store network expansion despite the economic headwinds in the nation.

    Releasing the company’s third quarter results, CEO Gary Brown said the network now numbering 2057 stores achieved sales growth of 5.5 per cent in the three months to September 30, despite a sluggish retail market.

    However there was a “significant negative impact” from the increase in the minimum wage from July 1 on third-quarter profit.

    “The third quarter of 2016 highlights the tough retail market in which we have operated since the introduction of GST coupled with low consumer sentiment and spending.

    “[However] we remain confident that continuous store expansion, refurbishment, promotional activity, improved merchandise mix and expanded in-store services will continue to deliver positive results despite the challenging headwinds.”

    Brown noted that average spend per customer increased by about 4 per cent during the third quarter, compared with the same period last year.

    Group revenue for the quarter totalled RM547.8 million (US$23.31 million) driven by new stores, improved merchandise mix and consumer promotion activity.

    Gross profit of RM169 million improved by 5.8 per cent, mainly attributed to the 5.5 per cent revenue growth.

    Selling and distribution expenses for the quarter increased by RM14.8 million or 10.4 per cent, mainly caused by new store expansion resulting in higher staff cost, rental cost, store depreciation expense and utility costs. The increase in the minimum wage caused store staff costs to rise by approximately 10 per cent in the current quarter.

    The pre-tax profit of RM15.5 million decreased by RM7.0 million or 31.2 per cent, despite positive sales growth – and due to higher selling and distribution expenses caused by new store expansion and the impact of minimum wage increase.

    For the nine months to September 30, the group’s revenue grew by 4.9 per cent against the corresponding nine months’ revenue.

  • Mercedes bets on SUV next year

    Mercedes bets on SUV next year

    In a sluggish automobile market, German automaker Mercedes-Benz aims to push up sales of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in 2017, which may see strong demand from young and successful people.

    SUVs accounted for 35 percent of Mercedes’ total sales of 2,724 cars in the first 10 months of this year, almost unchanged from the same period last year. Sixty five percent of the company’s sales derived from sedans and other models.

    The contribution of SUV sales surged by 7 percent as of October, up from only 28 percent last year, Kariyanto Hardjosoemarto, deputy director of sales operations and product management at Mercedes-Benz Indonesia (MBI), said on Wednesday.

    “According to market trends, SUV sales will increase higher than sedans next year,” he said on the sidelines of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Star Expo.

    Many customers preferred buying SUVs due to poor road conditions in the country, triggered by a number of ongoing infrastructure projects, while some also considered the risk of flood, Kariyanto said.

    Despite the continuing domination of multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) in Indonesia, the SUV market is expanding rapidly as seen by tighter competition among car manufacturers.

    Major automakers like Toyota and Honda rolled out new models to tap into this potential market throughout this year.

    In the premium SUV market, Mercedes has made a similar play, introducing its GLC model, along with its rival BMW, which launched the X3.

    Although he declined to specify the firm’s sales target for next year, Kariyanto said Mercedes’ top-selling SUV models so far were the GLC, with prices ranging from Rp 899 million (US$66,494) to Rp 1.23 billion, and the GLE, sold for between Rp 1.09 billion and Rp 1.56 billion.

    Behind the growth of Mercedes’ SUV segment are female customers, who apparently choose the model for reasons of safety combined with the comfort that resembles a sedan, according to MBI deputy director of marketing communication Hari Arifianto.

    “Women accounted for 20 percent of our SUV buyers,” he told.

    Amid a persistent economic slowdown that has squeezed people’s purchasing power, the domestic automotive market has gone through a bleak few years of late.

    Car sales, an indicator of consumption in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, only rose by 2.55 percent to 874,847 cars in the January-October period from last year, according to data from the Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers Association (Gaikindo). Sales in October alone went up by just 3.8 percent to 91,846 cars.

    Citing data from Gaikindo, Kariyanto said premium car sales had increased by 0.3 percent year-to-date.

    Despite the flat growth, the firm is optimistic that the luxury car market will recover next year on the back of Indonesia’s demographic bonus, which is marked by a large pool of productive people.

    This outlook underpins the company’s plan to focus on selling cars to young and successful people.

    “CEOs of online marketplaces or owners of app-based startups are all our targets,” Hari said.

    The company hopes that the so-called new generation compact cars, which consist of the A-Class, the CLA and the GLA, will attract younger buyers.

    Comprising sedans and SUVs, the cars are sold at more affordable prices, starting from around Rp 600 million.

    Mercedes launched more than 10 product line-ups this year. On Wednesday, the company unveiled its two latest models, namely the Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz SL 400, sold for around Rp 6 billion and Rp 2 billion, respectively.

  • DHL Express launches On Demand Delivery

    DHL Express launches On Demand Delivery

    DHL Express has launched a new “On Demand Delivery”, which it says has been developed in response to significant growth in premium cross-border e-commerce volumes.

    With On Demand Delivery, shippers can choose to activate specific delivery options and have DHL Express notify their customers via email or SMS about a shipment’s progress. The customers can then select the delivery option that best suits their requirements via the On Demand Delivery website.

    DHL said that the service is “specifically tailored” to the demands of international e-commerce deliveries, where the majority of shipments are addressed to residential addresses and customers crave flexibility and convenience.

    “We have seen the share of e-commerce deliveries grow from about 10% in 2013 to more than 20% of the international volumes of DHL Express in 2016,” said John Pearson, CEO Europe and Global Head of Commercial, DHL Express Europe.

    “This has primarily been driven by the strong demand for high-value and premium goods in the global marketplace, as well as the emergence of start-up retailers who are expanding opportunistically to new overseas markets and therefore require a worldwide door-to-door delivery service. In response to the dynamic growth and to ensure that our services continue to exceed customer expectations, we have launched On Demand Delivery.”

    Charlie Dobbie, Executive Vice President, Network Operations, Aviation and IT, DHL Express, said: “On Demand Delivery isn’t just a new customer interface – it also represents an enhancement of our worldwide network, as we have tailored our last-mile operations to meet the specific demands of cross-border e-commerce deliveries.

    “Thanks to On Demand Delivery, we can support the service offering of online shippers and improve the delivery experience for their customers, while improving our own efficiency, particularly for last-mile deliveries.”

    The  On Demand Delivery site can be accessed from smartphones, tablets and PCs, and offers receivers up to six delivery options. Shippers can incorporate their own branding into customer notifications.

    Receivers can schedule a delivery, arrange delivery to a nearby DHL Service Point or their own alternate address, and request that a shipment is put on hold during a vacation.

    DHL Express plans to roll out the On Demand Delivery to more than 100 countries through 2016 and 2017.

  • Globe deploys Amdocs’ Revenue Guard

    Globe deploys Amdocs’ Revenue Guard

    The Philippines’ Globe Telecom will deploy a revenue assurance platform from Amdocs to help minimize revenue leakage risks.

    Globe has selected the Amdocs Revenue Guard service, which provides automated and analytics-driven revenue assurance.

    The service uses technology developed by cVidya, which Amdocs acquired for $30 million earlier this year. It combines revenue assurance and fraud management software tools with professional services including risk analysis consulting, business analytics, training and IT operations.

    Globe will use the service across its line of business, and plans to take advantage of the consulting and training services provided.

    Revenue Guard can be deployed on-premise or as a cloud services under a variety of operating models, including SaaS, revenue share and KPI models.

    “The entry of a company of Amdocs’ magnitude to the revenue assurance space with its acquisition of cVidya is yet another proof of the increased importance of this domain for the industry as the world becomes increasingly digital,” Globe CFO Rizza Maniego-Eala commented.

    “By integrating the Amdocs Revenue Guard service into our data lake, we will be able to centrally analyze and effectively share data across the different parts of our business, optimizing revenue while keeping operational costs to the absolute minimum. We see this as an additional milestone in our transformation to become a digital service provider.”

  • Best seats in business class: Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200ER

    Best seats in business class: Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200ER

    Business class on Singapore Airlines’ refitted Boeing 777-200ERs proves almost identical to what you’ll get aboard the airline’s flagship Airbus A380s, but with a few tweaks and touches to maximise your space for sleeping and working.

    Now gracing Australian skies on overnight flights from Brisbane to Singapore – and planned also for flights between Sydney and Jakarta – here are our top seating picks in business class, whether you’re aiming to work through the flight, catch some shut-eye or chat with your partner.

    Singapore Airlines refitted Boeing 777-200ER business class: the basics

    Singapore Airlines spreads 26 business class seats across the first seven rows of its refitted Boeing 777-200ERs, configured in a 1-2-1 layout that places the ‘A’ and ‘K’ seats by the windows and the ‘D’ and ‘F’ seats in the centre:

    Even though there’s no first class cabin, business class begins at row 11 and also skips the ‘unlucky’ row 13, with all seats found together within a single ‘zone’ of the aircraft.

    Note that Singapore Airlines’ other, non-refitted Boeing 777-200ERs instead feature a different type of business class seat and use a different layout also, for which this guide does not apply.

    Singapore Airlines refitted Boeing 777-200ER business class: best seats

    For sleeping – 11A, 11K: While every business class seat here transforms into a fully-flat bed, the window seats in the first row provide considerably more space both beside and in front of you, as there’s no narrow ‘foot cubby’ to contend with.

    Instead, you can spread out as you wish, which taller travellers will particularly appreciate:

    If 11A and 11K are already taken or otherwise unavailable, look to 11D or 11F instead – also with extra foot space, but not as roomy:

    Also note that 11A & 11K double as bassinet seats, so if there’s a baby-toting traveller on your flight and you’ve perched yourself here, there’s a chance you may be moved to accommodate them.

    For productivity – other A, K seats: Those bulkhead seats above certainly are spacious, although they lack many of the storage nooks afforded to passengers in the other rows.

    On daytime flights when you’re planning to work, we’re sure you’ll appreciate this extra storage bin – handily located near the USB and power outlets for convenient charging of your devices…

    … as opposed to your only at-seat storage option in those bulkhead seats: a literature pocket that already comes filled with literature:

    For couples – the D + F pairs: When travelling with your significant other, aim for one of the seven centre pairs.

    You’ll need to lean forward slightly to see each other when sitting upright, although with each seat measuring 30 inches wide, one traveller could certainly visit the other’s seat while enjoying a movie – there’s even a second headphone outlet at these seats to make this easy.

    If you’re a solo traveller and can’t snag a window seat, don’t fret – there are two sturdy privacy dividers which can be opened in between, so that even if one passenger retracts theirs, the other can remain in place.

    Avoid 18D, 18F: Found in the very back row of business class, these seats are practically next to the main aircraft door used for boarding economy passengers (18D even more so than 18F), and what’s more, the two business class restrooms are located directly behind.

    That severely limits your privacy both on the ground and in the air with so many passengers passing by these seats, not to mention the extra noise from the lavatories.

    Instead, as there are no restrooms ahead of business class – only rearward, behind these seats – you’ll find greater privacy in a row further forward instead.

  • Singtel appoints Mark Chong group CTO

    Singtel appoints Mark Chong group CTO

    Singtel has made two key appointments to strengthen its management team as the Singapore-based telco continues its multi-year transformation.

    Current CEO International Mark Chong (pictured) will take up the role of group chief technology officer, with Arthur Lang taking over his role, effective April 1, 2017.

    Chong will replace Tay Soo Meng, who is set to retire at the end of the financial year after serving Singtel for almost 50 years. Tay will take on an advisory role, the company said.

    In his new role, Chong will lead technology strategy and innovations across the group. Chong, a Singtel veteran of over 20 years, has held various key leadership positions, most notably EVP Networks in Singapore and COO of AIS in Thailand.

    Lang joins Singtel from CapitaLand Limited, where he was group chief financial officer for more than five years.  He will join the group in January with the task of growing Singtel’s regional associates across India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

    Commenting on the appointments, Singtel Group CEO Chua Sock Koong said, “Given our global aspirations and a fast evolving business and technology landscape, we are reinforcing our leadership team as we prime our enterprise for our next phase of growth.”

    Both Chong and Lang, together with Samba Natarajan, CEO Group Digital Life, will join Singtel’s management committee, which oversees strategic direction and execution for the group.

  • AirAsia X chasing Europe; open to other aircraft types

    AirAsia X chasing Europe; open to other aircraft types

    AirAsia X wants to relaunch services to Europe “as quick as possible”, and is looking at aircraft other than Airbus A330s to get there.

    Speaking to FlightGlobal,the chief executive of AirAsia X‘s core Malaysian operation, Benyamin Ismail, says that its fleet plans have changed.

    The carrier had not planned to take delivery of any aircraft in 2017, but is now speaking with “some parties to see what aircraft are available”.

    “If we can get the aircraft we need… when the A330neos arrive, the focus for them will be to grow frequencies in our current markets, like China and North Asia,”

    Earlier in the year, Benyamin said that the carrier would not re-enter the European market until it starts receiving the A330-900s from the second half of 2018 onwards.

    On the A330-900 seat configuration, AirAsia X expects to confirm the details “in the next couple of months”, but could install more business class seats on those units initially planned to take on European routes.

    “We are working with Airbus to get the assurance that the A330neos can get us direct to Europe (from Kuala Lumpur).”

    Asked whether AirAsia X might take on A350s that may be available in the short-term, Benyamin re-iterates that the carrier “is open and has various options”, but would not confirm if it has held talks with lessors.

    Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that AirAsia X has 66 A330-900 and 10 A350-900s on order. It currently operates 22 A330-300s.