‘MAS remains steadfast with restructuring plans’
LONDON: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) remains steadfast in its restructuring plans and, at the same time, will readjust itself to remain competitive in the marketplace.
That was the message delivered by Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer Captain Izham Ismail at an exclusive reception for the media, trade partners and key stakeholders, including representatives from Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Malaysian High Commission, Malaysia Tourism Board and Airbus, as well as Liverpool Football Club legends at the London Heathrow Terminal 4 on Monday night.
Following the arrival of the new A350 plane on its inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur, Izham said MAS represented the values of Malaysia and Malaysians.
“We are very keen for MAS to deliver Malaysian hospitality. We sell a promise and the promise is Malaysian hospitality,” he said.
“MAS depicts the values of Malaysia the minute you do your bookings. We will do our best until you pick up your luggage, that is our commitment and our promise,” said Izham.
The new Airbus A350 with its Jalur Gemilang livery, one of two that will service the Kuala Lumpur-London route, arrived at Heathrow Terminal 4 at 3.25pm, here, while the inaugural flight from London to Kuala Lumpur was at 9.30pm local time.
Izham reassured that the A380 would still be in service.
“MH2 will be serviced by the A380. By middle of next month, we fly from London twice a day via the A350.
“We will continue to use A380s but they will focus more on routes that are in high demand, especially the umrah and haj segment,” he added.
“The aviation industry is very competitive. Airlines must be agile and change.
“This is one of the products that we are able to compete in the market. Capacity is increasing in most areas, it is important for us to remain competitive by being able to switch our products quickly.
“The A380 will continue to fly and serve our haj and umrah segment. During peak periods, it will fly to London, Sydney or even when there is market demand for South Korea. We will deploy our A380s during that period before Project Amal takes over.”
MAS’ A350 is configured in a three-class layout, with four new first class seats, 31 business seats and 251 economy seats.
The A350s will gradually replace the A380s in serving the London route.
According to a statement, the all-new A350 was the most spacious aircraft in the MAS fleet with added leg room and extrawide cabins, featuring superior air quality, quieter environment and intelligent mood lighting.
The A350 offers the latest in aircraft innovation with superior connectivity, thanks to onboard WiFi and upgraded in-flight entertainment, featuring the latest blockbuster films displayed on high-definition screens.
After the reception, guests were taken in groups to the aircraft before the passengers boarded.
Those present included Malaysian High Commissioner to United Kingdom and Ireland Datuk Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi, Khazanah Europe Investment senior vice-president Ltd Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin and Liverpool FC legends Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush. Zaharah Othman