By Lee Wei Lian
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — Analysts say that there is no immediately apparent impact on Malaysian airlines from the price increase by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
The world’s top aircraft manufacturer has increased the list price of all its aircraft by an average of 5.8 per cent. The price increase is the first since January 2008, and applies for all new aircraft from the beginning of January 2010.
Analysts contacted by The Malaysian Insider say that airlines typically negotiate a discount over the list price but do not reveal the details to analysts making a more detailed assessment difficult.
AirAsia has chosen to use Airbuses exclusively while Malaysia Airlines uses a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
“AirAsia does have a delivery programme beyond 2010 but they are not transparent with the exact arrangement,” said one airline analyst.
In a statement to the media, Airbus said that the weakness of the US dollar and an increased cost of materials as well as commodities were all factors in the decision to raise prices.
“We have tried to keep prices down for as long as we can,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers at Airbus. “However, even with record aircraft deliveries and impressive orders in recent years, the continuing strength of the Euro against the US Dollar and the ongoing financial challenges ahead have forced us to take action.”
Airbus’s arch rival Boeing last raised its list prices last February.
According to its press statement, Airbus has sold almost 9,500 and delivered over 6,000 aircraft and its backlog now stands at almost 3,500 aircraft.
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