MALAYSIA Airlines Bhd (MAS) made two significant deals here with Airbus and Boeing — the world’s two biggest commercial aircraft manufacturers.
Malaysia Airlines signed a maintenance programme deal with Airbus for its existing A330 and incoming A350 fleets, which will also see the international giant grow its presence in Malaysia.
The Flight Aero Services programme will see all imaginable parts and services for the A330 and A350 available in Malaysia.
Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer Peter Bellew said although the programme was for the national carrier, it would also serve as a catalyst for growth of the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry in the country as any airline in the region with A330 or A350 aircraft could have them serviced and repaired in Malaysia.
Bellew said Malaysia Airlines had initially approached Airbus for the programme for its incoming fleet of A350 aircraft.
The airlines has six A350s on order.
“I had wanted it to be a totally seamless operation (for the A350s) with no possibility of disruption of services from the very start. But (Airbus) came in with an attractive offer for the A330s as well,” he told NST Business at the Paris International Air Show.
The agreement will cover the entire fleet of A330s consisting of 15 passenger jets and three freight aircraft.
Bellew said the programme was a guarantee from Airbus.
“So, it’s very much in their best interests to make sure that everything is good (with the aircraft).”
The second deal, meanwhile, makes Malaysia Airlines one of the launch customers for Boeing’s latest version of the 737, the B737-MAX 10. The airline has ordered 10 of the aircraft, considered a stretch version of the MAX 8. Malaysia Airlines has ordered 25 MAX 8, with options for 25 more.
Bellew said Malaysia Airlines would likely not take up any options immediately.
The idea to purchase the MAX 10 is for the extra space afforded by a stretch version to be used to increase the business class capacity for shorter routes.
“We can push 16 more lie-flat seats and we can still have a 737 with the luxury (of space) of a wide-body aircraft in business class... it’s a more affordable way to offer top quality. We are getting 10 of the MAX 10, but I would be surprised if we don’t order more (in the future),” said Bellew.