SEREMBAN: Airbus will conduct an 18-month feasibility study on the setting up of an aviation hub here, a state exco member said.

State investment, industrialisation, entrepreneurship, education and human capital committee chairman Dr Mohamad Rafie Ab Malek said if all worked out, Malaysia would be home to the French aircraft maker’s fifth facility in the world after Toulouse, Hamburg, Tianjin and Alabama.

He revealed that Airbus agreed to conduct a study on the possibility of setting up of either a final assembly line or a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility upon the recommendation of AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

“This will not only be good for Negri Sembilan but for the entire nation,” he said after a meeting with Fernandes here, adding that the opening of an aviation hub would attract hundreds of related industries to the state.

Dr Mohamad Rafie first mooted the idea of a hub to the AirAsia chief, who relayed it to Airbus.

He said Airbus then reverted to Fernandes in writing within six weeks.

In the letter, Airbus chief commercial officer Eric Schulz indicated the group’s willingness to carry out an 18-month study on the long-term economic viability of the project.

Schulz said the group was also prepared to consider setting up a training and a data centre.

He also proposed that Airbus and AirAsia jointly monitor the progress of the study with the relevant authorities.

Dr Mohamed Rafie said the proposed hub would need at least a 1,600ha area.

“Apart from Labu, we are looking at several areas in Negri Sembilan, which should be easily accessible and have good infrastructure facilities,” he said.

Fernandes said Airbus was prepared to do the study, as AirAsia was the aircraft maker’s biggest customer and the fourth largest airline in Asia.

“We used our recent orders to try and steer Airbus’ investments towards Malaysia. We also do a lot of work with Airbus on data.

“The most important thing for Airbus is skills and having the right people. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring in a lot of high-skilled jobs for Malaysians,” he said.

AirAsia has a fleet of 250 Airbus aircraft. It has also signed a US$30bil (RM121.9bil) deal with Airbus to buy 100 units of the A330neo aircraft.

“Since the setting up of the facility will involve a huge investment, it clearly shows Airbus’ confidence in Malaysia,” he added.