Asian First: AirAsia X to Employ CHEP Aerospace Solutions’ Lightweight Containers

AirAsia X, an affiliate of AirAsia, a Malaysia-based low cost carrier and one of Asia’s fastest growing airlines, has become the first customer of CHEP Aerospace Solutions in Asia to convert to an all-lightweight container fleet.

The move to lightweight containers is an increasing trend among many major airlines, driven by the need to save on fuel costs and the desire to reduce CO2 emissions within the aviation industry.

AirAsia X, in partnership with CHEP Aerospace Solutions, the world’s leading provider of outsourced Unit Load Device (ULD) and galley cart repair, maintenance and management, will convert to using a lightweight composite AKE container for its growing fleet of A330 aircraft, and upcoming A350 aircraft.

AirAsia X Head of Cargo, Sathis Manoharen, said: “CHEP Aerospace Solutions, previously operating as Unitpool, has been our ULD management provider since the launch of AirAsia X in 2007. Our decision to switch to a lightweight composite container is to achieve rapid fuel savings through a transition that we expect will complete in less than six months. What’s more, with our continued growth plans, we are confident this decision will translate into sizeable fuel-burn cost savings upon full implementation across our fleet.”

AirAsia X CEO, Azran Osman-Rani, said: “We love new innovations and solutions. We’re thrilled to be the first in Asia to use CHEP’s lightweight containers that will reduce fuel consumption while maintaining operational reliability.”

CHEP Aerospace Solutions Commercial Director, David Harman, said: “Air Asia X has always been a pioneering company, while its low-cost philosophy makes it all the more important for us to offer it leading-edge solutions at the best possible commercial terms. We are therefore not only delighted that Air Asia X has decided to transition to lightweight containers, saving 17 kilograms of weight per container per flight in the process, but also that this new era in our relationship has led to a contract extension too. This decision underscores the value proposition that CHEP Aerospace Solutions is offering the aviation industry.”