Citing “confidential documents”, the report said Airbus is looking to sell four A320neo and two A321neo jets which it built for AirAsia.

It said the move was “unusual”, as aircraft manufacturers would normally adjust the delivery dates of planes to suit their clients.

“Like other airlines looking to save cash amid lockdowns and travel bans that have crippled their business, AirAsia has said it doesn’t need any more aircraft this year,” it added.

It was reported last year that AirAsia had ordered 42 Airbus aircraft for its long-haul carrier AirAsia X, worth some US$5 billion (RM20 billion).

They include 12 long-range A330neo planes and 30 medium-range A321XLR models, Airbus had said.

Last week, AirAsia announced several cost-cutting measures as it struggles to survive with almost all its aircraft grounded in the countries where it operates.

Staff were told to take pay cuts of between 15% and 75%, while customers were encouraged to accept credit for replacement flights instead of refunds.

“It’s an uncertain time. Never could I have imagined it, no one could have predicted it and yet everyone has been touched by it. So I want to be open and transparent with you in this time of uncertainty,” said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes in a statement.

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