TIMELY ADDITION
No new funding needed for the 6 Airbus aircraft, says MAS chief
MALAYSIA Airlines Bhd is expected to save up to 25 per cent in efficiency improvement and seat cost, collectively, from the six incoming
Airbus A330-200 aircraft, says chief executive officer
Peter Bellew.
MALAYSIA Airlines Bhd will save up to 25 per cent in improved efficiency and seat cost from the six incoming Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Chief executive officer Peter Bellew said the aircraft did not require new funding as they would be replacing six narrowbody Boeing 737 that were being returned to lessors.
“We will save up to 25 per cent on efficiency improvement and seat cost collectively from these six incoming aircraft. We will see the improvement mainly from increased seats and passenger comfort,” said Bellew at a briefing, here, yesterday.
He said the fleet strategy was in line with the MAS Recovery Plan to bring the airline back to a competitive cost position and reassume its premier position in the industry.
“As I have communicated, we have an immediate need for widebodies to offer more flat beds in the business class on our flights over three hours. The current lease rates are incredibly competitive and we are being opportunistic by leasing them at this point,” he said.
Bellew said even though the six A330-200s were second-hand, they were in great condition, thanks to the refurbishments by German carrier Air Berlin.
“Air Berlin went bankrupt in August and these six new widebodies that we are leasing used to be theirs. Because of this, we were able to get them at an incredibly competitive price,” he said, without disclosing the value.
“Air Berlin has also added into these aircraft a high level of comfort, which we will benefit from now,” he added.
Malaysia Airlines will receive the six aircraft next year — two in February, two in June and two in October.
Bellew said the plan to increase the number of its wide-body aircraft would not change its existing fleet size.
“We are maintaining the number of our fleet with 48 narrowbodies (Boeing B737-800) and 21 wide-bodies (six Airbus A380/Airbus A350 and 15 Airbus A330-3000/-200), which adds to 69 aircraft for this year.”
Bellew said Malaysia Airlines was still keen to own Airbus A330neo wide-body aircraft.
He also squashed rumours that he was leaving Malaysia Airlines for Ryanair Holdings Plc.
“I am perfectly happy to be here at Malaysia Airlines and my team and I are working hard to return this airline back to its glory days.”