Malaysian carrier Malindo Air operates world's first 737 Max 8
KUALA LUMPUR: Malindo Air, winner of CAPA’s 2016 Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the Year, held a welcoming ceremony to celebrate being the first airline to take delivery and operate the 737 Max 8.
The welcome ceremony was attended by YBhg Dato’ Sri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, Director General of Civil Aviation in KLIA before the departure of the aircraft’s first commercial service for OD803 from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Rusdi Kirana, cofounder of Lion Group, Dr Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific & India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes & Chandran Rama Muthy, Malindo Air’s CEO were also present.
Muthy said, “We are thrilled to be the world’s first airline to take delivery and operate the 737 Max 8. The Boeing 737NG fleet has served Malindo well in its growth and we believe that the 737 Max aircraft will become the centrepiece of our fleet. These new aircraft will allow us to go to further destinations and will play a key role in providing lower air fares to our customers.” “Malindo Air will be undergoing a re-branding to Batik Malaysia in the second half of this year. Therefore, you can see our first Max 8 comes in Batik Malaysia livery,” he added.
“Today marks another milestone for Malaysia aviation. We are proud to be the first to operate one of the world’s most technologically advanced single-aisle airplane. The fuel-efficient airplane is better for the environment and quieter for our communities, and we hope to have more people flying to and within Malaysia given the enhanced flying experience with the aircraft,” said Azharuddin.
“Boeing is honoured to join Malindo Air for the very first commercial flight of the 737 Max,” said Keskar. “Starting today, the 737 Max will provide Malindo with superior economics and performance and passengers around the world can experience all that the 737 Max has to offer - with its beautiful features of the Boeing Sky Interior, the quieter engines for a more peaceful flight, and the industry-leading reliability of the 737 family.”